Zita Cobb founded a unique approach to travel when she returned to Fogo Island, Newfoundland over a decade ago. She called on the island’s 2,500 residents to participate in creating the Fogo Island Inn, a high-end establishment aimed at boosting the local economy with tourism without disrupting the community’s traditional way of life. The inn was designed to reflect the island’s vernacular architecture and almost everything in the rooms was made by the local residents. This approach of prioritizing the community over tourist demand is seen as an uncommon strategy in a time when the negative impact of tourism on locals is becoming increasingly apparent. Cobb believes that sustainable tourism can only be achieved by putting the destination and its people first.
The Fogo Island Inn was funded by Cobb, public funds, and a Canadian charity called Shorefast that she established with her brothers. Cobb, an eighth-generation islander, acknowledges that big hotel chains are unlikely to follow in the footsteps of allowing communities to have ownership, but she hopes that they can learn from the Fogo Island model. The inn, which opened in 2013, has 29 rooms, a size determined to match the island’s population capacity. Cobb points out a growing backlash against tourism due to the industry’s lack of responsibility for its impact on local communities. She believes that governments need to be more involved in regulating tourism, and communities must decide how they want to welcome visitors in a way that benefits rather than harms them.
Due to the ownership of Fogo Island Inn being in the hands of the people, they each have the opportunity to stay there. Shorefast, the Canadian charity that owns the inn, also operates artist studios, a fish business, and a restaurant in addition to the hotel. Cobb, a former tech executive, believes that the current hospitality industry has strayed too far towards corporate control, causing communities to suffer a decline in their quality of life. She emphasizes the importance of putting the place at the center of travel experiences and creating a global network of intensely local destinations. Cobb suggests that if companies do not pay attention to the impact of their operations on communities, they will eventually be forced to confront the consequences.
The Fogo Island Inn serves as a model for showcasing the benefits of prioritizing the local community in the development of sustainable tourism. Cobb’s emphasis on building a travel industry that focuses on the destination and its people rather than just catering to tourist demand is seen as a viable solution to the negative impacts that tourism can have on communities. By involving local residents in the design and operation of the hotel, Cobb has created a sense of ownership and sustainability that could serve as inspiration for other destinations facing similar challenges. The success of the Fogo Island Inn demonstrates that by starting with the community and building from there, it is possible to create a travel experience that benefits both visitors and locals. It highlights the importance of engaging with communities, valuing their input, and ensuring that tourism enhances rather than detracts from their way of life.
