Regenerative Tourism Innovation Under Socio-Ecological Disruption: Pink Salmon and Value Circulation in the Teno River Valley, Finland

This article examines how regenerative, place-based tourism innovation emerges in response to socio-ecological disruption in the Teno River Valley, an Arctic river destination in northern Finland. It focuses on an early-stage pink salmon tourism pilot developed after the decline of Atlantic salmon stocks, tightening fishing restrictions, and the increasing presence of pink salmon. Drawing on a qualitative single-case study based on two interviews with central actors and documentary materials associated with the pilot, complemented by contextual media materials, the article identifies three interrelated processes. First, disruption exposed ecological, economic, cultural and social interdependencies surrounding salmon, livelihoods, food practices, and community wellbeing. Second, the innovation developed through cross-actor collaboration, trusted local actors, legitimacy formation, and partial enactment by a local entrepreneur. Third, pink salmon became a nodal element through which value could circulate across ecological management, guest participation, hospitality, food provision, and community care. The article shows how pink salmon, initially framed as an ecological problem, was reworked into a place-based tourism innovation that connected invasive species removal, guest participation, local food provision and support for older residents. The findings demonstrate regenerative intent and emerging practices, while the longer-term SES outcomes remain to be assessed. The article highlights the importance of understanding value circulation within the SES in which tourism is embedded and incorporating impact monitoring into regenerative tourism innovation planning to assess ecological, economic, cultural, and social effects over time.