Activating inner development in tourism

The *Inner Capacity Building for Sustainable Tourism Change (ICB for STC)* project investigated how inner development approaches can support transformative change in the tourism sector. Conducted by researchers from Inholland University of Applied Sciences and Breda University of Applied Sciences, the study explored the application of the Inner Development Guide (IDG) framework within a professional tourism context. A participatory workshop, grounded in systems thinking, transformative learning, and the relationship between inner and outer transformation, was designed and implemented with stakeholders connected to Amsterdam’s tourism sector. The findings demonstrate that engaging tourism professionals in self-reflection and dialogue around personal values, emotions, and mental models is both valuable and challenging. Participants often shifted discussions toward external policy issues rather than exploring their own perspectives, highlighting the need for sustained engagement, clear facilitation, and sufficient time to foster meaningful inner work. Preparatory individual interviews proved essential for establishing trust, creating psychological safety, and enabling constructive dialogue among participants with diverse and sometimes conflicting viewpoints. Furthermore, the study revealed that the translation of research design into practical facilitation is a critical determinant of outcomes, as seemingly small adaptations in workshop delivery can substantially influence participant engagement and learning. The project is situated within the broader context of persistent sustainability challenges in tourism, where technical and policy-based interventions alone have proven insufficient to address systemic environmental and social issues. Drawing on systems thinking and the Iceberg Model, the research argues that lasting transformation requires addressing the underlying mental models, beliefs, and values that shape tourism practices. By strengthening inner capacities such as self-awareness, openness, and relational thinking, tourism professionals may become better equipped to contribute to systemic and regenerative change. The study concludes that inner development should be viewed as a long-term, collective learning process that complements structural and institutional sustainability initiatives.