Frame
At a time when the UN is calling us all in 2027 for the World Year of Resilient Tourism, regenerative tourism is emerging as a model capable of generating the local jobs and financial abundance we need, of reducing and offsetting the impact of tourism, and of engaging travelers so they can make themselves useful in their free time. In short, it enables us to transform the tourism industry into a virtuous economy.
Cross-cutting projects for International Geneva, new forms of impact finance... due to the economic magnitude they represent, the formats transformation of tourism enables us to address all the humanitarian, social and ecological challenges that need to be resolved today.
This Friday will also be an opportunity to present the major structural transversal impact projects that were developed and scaled by the actors of International Geneva during the Geneva Forum week ↗ (see below the 3rd afternoon pitch theme).
The exchanges between the stakeholders at this meeting will take place in the form of both a Round Table among speakers and subgroup debates involving the Assembly audience.
| Geneva - Santiago - Bangkok - Nairobi |
Call for Contributions
Proceedings from Previous Years
View this section.
Program of Friday morning part
PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS
Geneva - Friday, December 12, 2025, Morning
| Closing day of the Geneva Forum |
From 08:00: Generation of UN badges at Pregny Gate
Schedule
| ▪ 09:00-10:00: Reception in the hall and one-on-one meetings |
|
▪ 10:00: Opening of the Geneva Forum, Introductory notes and protocol, Session introduction
M. Thomas EGLI, Host of the Geneva Forum (Geneva Forum) and Session Chair, Switzerland
 Come back to the week’s schedule and the contributions of the Geneva Forum,
Reminder of those present,
Feed-bacl of the progressive advancement throughout the week of impact projects carried out by participants,
Support provided to NGOs with ECOSOC status,
Support for the efforts of UN bodies,
Concept of the Blended Finance Party,
Involvement of everyone during the week in preparation for the Operational Round Table on Friday afternoon, presenting the results of the Blended Finance Party,
Preparations for everyone’s participation in the Strategic Round Table of the Think Tank on Friday afternoon.
Short interactive and dynamic sessions on the concept of transversal projects between several organizations. Presentation of the concept of inter-sectoral impact projects (each time combining at least two themes of International Geneva). The themes used as examples will illustrate the value of combining regenerative tourism to bring resilient tourism to address the Sustainable Development Goals, the Rights of Nature, and the protection of the oceans.
|
|
INTERACTIVE ROUND TABLE
Questions and debates on the theme of the regenerative economy, overview of impact projects present in the room, mutual networking among participants. |
|
▪ 11:15: Official inauguration
His Excellency Mr. João MIRA GOMES, Ambassador of Portugal to the UN in Geneva
M. Thomas EGLI, Host of the Geneva Forum (Geneva Forum) and Session Chair, Switzerland
Inauguration of the day and closing of the week, Introductory notes and protocol, Introduction to the session "Regenerative Tourism as a cross-cutting solution for high-impact transformative projects."
- Presentation of the objectives and main themes of the day within the framework of the Forum week,
- Details of the collaboration between the Geneva Forum and the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the UN in Geneva,
▪ 11h30 : Presentation of winning practices and success stories (pitches)
Ms. Leonor Picão, Coordinating Director at Turism of Portugal, on resilient tourism with a particular focus on the Portuguese experience.
(other speakers under confirmation)
|
|
SESSION : Impact Tourism - Toward Regenerative Tourism as a Catalyst for Cultural and Ecological Resilience
| ▪ 11h45-13h00 : Pitch Round (8 min. max. per speaker) |
● Vincent KUNDA, Fonder of Kongo River NGO
Art, Culture, Citizen Engagement, Science and Tourism for Change: The Kongo River Festival as a Catalyst for Impact
The Kongo River Festival illustrates how a cultural event can become a platform for impact-driven projects: citizen engagement, environmental education, heritage valorisation, responsible tourism, and the creation of local economic opportunities. Through art, Congolese cultural expression, citizen science initiatives, and youth involvement, the festival fosters a fertile ecosystem for social and territorial innovation. This presentation will outline its model, its outcomes, and the partnership and impact-finance opportunities that could help scale and strengthen this dynamic.
|
|
● Esther DEVIN et Anne-Félicité VINET, Objectif Sciences International
Smart holidays, a way to thrive !
Having a passion is an incredible tool for personal growth. How can smart holidays foster this fulfilment while allowing participants to discover science and contribute to shaping the planet we want for tomorrow?
|
|
● Noa SHTANG, EcoHubMap
Visualizing regenerative tourism, global trends from EcoHubMap
Regenerative tourism represents a profound shift from “minimizing harm” to “actively restoring” ecosystems and communities. While the concept is gaining traction, there is still limited global evidence on how businesses are adopting regenerative practices in real-time.
EcoHubMap, a global directory of eco-driven companies and initiatives — provides a unique vantage point to visualize these trends. Drawing on our growing dataset of tourism-related enterprises, we will present the first comparative overview of where, how, and at what pace regenerative tourism is emerging worldwide.
This talk will combine:
• Data analysis from EcoHubMap, growth rates, sector distribution, and geographic clustering of regenerative tourism businesses.
• Survey insights from registered companies, revealing how businesses define regeneration, their priorities, and the obstacles they face.
• Visual storytelling, charts, and maps that make visible the transition from sustainability to regeneration in tourism.
By blending quantitative data with qualitative perspectives, EcoHubMap offers fresh evidence of how regenerative tourism is evolving into a global movement.
|
|
● Énora CARRIÈRE et Clément COUCHOUD, Objectif Sciences International
Can tourism benefit scientists ?
We aim to present a new way of spending holidays by contributing to the collection of astronomical data, thereby supporting scientists while truly enjoying the experience.
|
|
● Yihang ZHOU, Youth Program Leader, Ivy Youth Service Center
An AI and RAG-Based Community Platform for Sustainable Tourism in Shanghai
This project explores new forms of regenerative tourism through an AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation model applied to Shanghai’s Chenghuangmiao Community, a historic urban heritage site. The research develops an intelligent platform integrating local cultural resources, ecological data, and community narratives to promote environmentally responsible travel and cultural preservation. Residents and visitors interact with the platform to access real-time knowledge on sustainable tourism practices, ecosystem conservation, and intangible heritage. By positioning local youth as co-creators, the system fosters inclusive participation and circular urban regeneration. The project demonstrates how technology can serve as a bridge between tourists and territories, transforming heritage destinations into dynamic ecosystems of learning, collaboration, and travel. It aims to contribute an innovative model for community-driven, AI-supported regenerative tourism advancing ecological, social, and cultural resilience in urban contexts.
|
|
● Katelyne CANOVAS, Objectif Sciences International
Paleo-apprentice, a field for passion
Passionnés et professionnels sont continuellement à la recherche de nouvelles méthodes de valorisation de leurs domaines de savoirs. Aujourd’hui, le voyage scientifique devient un outil bien précis pour répondre aux besoins de chacun, dans un contexte de défense des préservations des écosystèmes.
|
|
● Sabrina BENMECHERI, ZENAGE - REMOTED
Ecotourism A Pathway to Resilient and Regenerative Natural Ecosystems
In my talk “Ecotourism: A Pathway to Resilient and Regenerative Natural Ecosystems,” drawn from 35 years of field experience, I reveal how oases—far from the usual clichés—are emerging today as true laboratories of rebirth. Through the Route du Mejhoule, I show how a territory can regenerate itself, recover its water, its economy, and its soul by combining ancestral knowledge with nature-based solutions. I highlight a living, grounded form of ecotourism that places people back at the center while breathing new life into ecosystems. A bold, modern, and urgently needed pathway to reinvent the tourism of tomorrow—one that is more vibrant, resilient, and regenerative.
|
|
| ▪ 13h00 : closing of the morning session |
Program of Friday afternoon part
Geneva - Friday, December 8, 2025, Afternoon
| 12th Annual International Conference on Resilient and Responsible Travel and Tourism for Peace and Sustainable Development |
This annual space for sharing enables stakeholders in the field to pool practices, challenges, solutions, ideas, and needs.
SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS
| ▪ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Welcome to the room and one-on-one meetings |
|
▪ 3:00 PM: Conference Opening, Introductory Notes and Protocol, Session Introduction
M. Thomas EGLI, Host of the Geneva Forum (Geneva Forum) and Session Chair, Switzerland |
|
| ▪ 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Pitch Round (8 min. max. per speaker) |
● Joséphine ALAUZET, Samuel BELEY, Chloé BUISSIÈRE et Gabriel LAPIERE, Objectif Sciences International NGO
Iceland faces two existential threats
Our presentation focuses on the importance of natural environments for the inhabitants of Iceland. We aim to show how unique the relationship between Icelanders and their environment truly is. To do so, we studied the impact of global warming on different natural ecosystems in Iceland, such as glaciers, among others.
|
|
● Timothée REY, Objectif Sciences International NGO
Iceland, the price of beauty
What is the impact of tourism on endangered species in Iceland? We present a perception study based on a survey, followed by a series of proposed solutions.
|
SESSION: Sizing cross-silo transversal projects, eligible for impact financing. (Presentation of the work advanced during the week)
| ▪ 3:30 PM - 3:40 PM: Presentation of the question to work on |
|
| ▪ 3:40 PM - 5:25 PM: Group Work Sessions |
|
| ▪ 5:25 PM - 5:50 PM: Interactive Roundtable (Feedback Session) |
|
| ▪ 5:50 PM - 6:00 PM: Closing Remarks |
|
| ▪ 6:00 PM: End of the Workshop |
|
| ▪ 7:00 PM: Geneva Forum Networking Dinner |
At the end of this session, a position paper will be published by the Geneva Forum to compile what was discussed and decided during the session.
Registration and Memberships
During the Geneva Forum, you can be a member of the audience, contribute ideas for Impact Projects or be in the process of scaling up Impact Projects, propose a Poster presentation, or submit a conference proposal to be delivered at the event. (Deadline for submitting an abstract: see the call for contributions for the conference)
To participate in the Geneva Forum, you must subscribe to the Membership "Event".
| By subscribing to one of the memberships, you become a member for a period of one year. |
Once your membership has been validated, you will receive all the necessary logistical information, as well as the link to generate your badge for each event, a few days beforehand.
