UNWTO Launches Competition to Heal Tourism from Covid-19

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched the “Healing Solutions” challenge and is calling on innovators and entrepreneurs to put forward new solutions to help the tourism sector recover from the coronavirus (Covid-19).

“Tourism is the sector that has been hit the hardest by COVID-19. Our response needs to be strong and united,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.

In particular, the challenge is aimed at finding ideas that can make a difference right away: for destinations, for businesses and for public health efforts.

“We also need to embrace innovation. I call on all entrepreneurs and innovators with ideas that are developed and ready to be put into action to share them with us. In particular, we want to hear ideas that will help communities recover from this crisis, economically and socially, as well as ideas that can contribute to the public health response,” Pololikashvili added.

According to the UNWTO, participants should be able to demonstrate how their ideas can help tourism in its response to Covid-19. Ideas must also have been piloted and be ready to scale-up, with a business plan in place and the potential to be implemented in several countries.

The competition is now live and applications close on April 10.

The winners of the Healing Solutions for Tourism Challenge will be invited to pitch their ideas to representatives of more than 150 governments They will also enjoy access to the UNWTO Innovation Network, which includes hundreds of start-ups and leading businesses from across the tourism sector.

For further information on the “Healing Solutions” challenge, press here.