UNWTO Launches 2nd Global Tourism Startup Competition

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has again joined forces with Globalia, a leading tourism group in Spain and Latin America, to launch the second edition of the UNWTO Global Tourism Startup Competition.

Announcing the news during the recent UNWTO General Assembly in St Petersburg, Russia, General-Secretary Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the important role innovation can play in making tourism a central part of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

“With this competition we are exploring new terrain in tourism, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development. We have succeeded in bringing together the most relevant stakeholders in the progress of our sector and its relevance on a global scale”, Pololikashvili said.

Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo and UNTWO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili. Photo Source: @UNWTO

The new partners will actively engage in promoting the project’s five categories in addition to choosing the best solutions and most disruptive projects based on new business models:

Smart mobility

In partnership with Telefónica, this category is for projects that improve travel quality and facilitate user mobility on any type of transport.

Smart Destinations

Supported by Distrito Digital Valencia, this category is for ideas that improve the sustainability and profitability of a destination from an economic, environmental and socio-cultural perspective.

Deep Tech, rethinking localisation and geolocation

Awarded in partnership with Amadeus, the category will be focused on ideas for using data extracted through AI and localization technology to make trips even easier.

Disruptive hospitality

In collaboration with Intu, “disruptive hospitality” is aimed at identifying new or already established companies from all over the world to help Globalia give guests of the future a first-class experience in every way.

Rural development

Globalia will make a special effort to provide solutions for the forestry, agricultural and rural sectors.

Photo Source: UNWTO

Furthermore, UNWTO will award a special sustainability prize to lend visibility to projects that are committed to more efficient tourism.

Proposals from around the world began arriving on September 13, at Wakalua, Globalia’s tourism innovation hub, and will end on November 15. The winners will be announced on January 21, 2020, during a gala event at the Madrid International Tourism Fair (Fitur).

For more information, press here.