World Expert Lecture on “From Ethical Decline to Regenerative Potential: Reimagining Tourism’s Moral Future”
The UP Office of International Linkages in partnership with the UP Asian Institute of Tourism was honored to host Professor Brent A. Lovelock, PhD from the University of Otago, New Zealand, for a 2-part World Expert Lecture on “From Ethical Decline to Regenerative Potential: Reimagining Tourism’s Moral Future” last November 11, 2025 in UP and in November 12 in Leyte Normal University (LNU).
Professor Lovelock, a leading international scholar in sustainable and regenerative tourism, explored how the industry can evolve from facing ethical challengesโovertourism, Indigenous representation, carbon-intensive travel, and environmental pressuresโto embracing regenerative approaches that restore rather than deplete. This reimagining positions tourism not as an extractive industry, but as a restorative force for people and planet.
With participants representing SUCs, HEIs, LGUs, and tourism stakeholders, the sessions fostered rich discussions on embedding regenerative principles in destination managementโbalancing prosperity with purpose.
The AIT would also like to extend its appreciation to Dr. Dolores Cecilia Madrid, AVP for Academic Affairs (Internationalization) & Director, UP Office of International Linkages, Professor Jennifer C. Josef, PhD from UP Baguio for the reactor’s presentation, LNU Dean Evangeline Sanchez, faculty, and students from LNU in Tacloban.
The World Expert Lecture Series (WELS) brings distinguished scholars, government officials, industry leaders, and artists from around the globe to UP. Through special lectures and performances, the program aims to inspire and expand the horizons of the university community while advancing UP’s internationalization objectives.






