UNWTO, in joint collaboration with NOAH Regen, has taken a further step forward in rethinking tourism financing with the launch of the UN NetZero Facility and Re-PLANET Capital Fund Ecosystem. The launch on 14 November 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, marked a pivotal moment in the global campaign against climate change following the adoption of the Paris Agreement by 196 parties, and ahead of the UN Climate Conference COP28.

In the lead up towards ahead the UN Climate Conference COP28, members of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) met at UNWTO's headquarters to exchange insights on the importance of governance, participatory approaches and timely data in advancing sustainability in destinations.

UNWTO gathered tourism officials and communications specialists of 20 countries from across Africa to explore ways to deliver more effective tourism communications and showcase the sector's role as a pillar of development.

UNWTO welcomed high-level officials from the Tourism Administrations of 19 countries as it put the focus on navigating human resource development challenges in tourism in a post-pandemic world.

The UNWTO Conference on Accessible Tourism was held for a second time in San Marino (16-17 November 2023), powered by the Ministry of Tourism of Italy and in partnership with the European Accessibility Resource Centre – AccessibleEU, a flagship initiative of the European Commission. Out of it came the San Marino Agenda, a clean action plan for disability inclusion in every part of the tourism sector.

The collaboration agreement will run until 2026 and focus on digital entrepreneurship, innovation, application of new technologies (big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) and talent development.

The inaugural Qatar Tourism Awards, developed in partnership with UNWTO, focused on three principal categories: Service Excellence, Cultural Experiences and Smart Solutions. The Community Contribution Award was a surprise category announced during the awards ceremony, recognising individual community members who have gone above and beyond to display hospitality and provide exemplary services to visitors.

Tourism has again been identified as a key driver of economic recovery and growth in a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). With UNWTO data pointing to a return to 95% of pre-pandemic tourist numbers by the end of the year in the best case scenario, the IMF report outlines the positive impact the sector's rapid recovery will have on certain economies worldwide.

The Economist Impact has released the new Destination Always report, supported by Booking.com, featuring UNWTO's data and experts' insights.

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