UNWTO Calls on Start-ups to Join ‘Awake Tourism Challenge’

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the second edition of its global flagship competition under the name of “Awake Tourism Challenge”.

The competition, which follows the UNWTO SDGs Global Start-up Competition 2020, will identify innovators who are advancing solutions to 6 different challenges, as well contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For the 2022 challenge, UNWTO will focus on specific areas that can help the recovery of the tourism sector in a disruptive way, and which deserve extra attention right now, namely:

– Community involvement: 80% of people living in ‘extreme poverty’ live in rural communities while domestic, rural and eco-tourism have emerged as the most popular travel choices.
– Green and blue economies: Tourism can be a source of economic opportunities and at the same time protect natural ecosystems.
– Ecological and Sustainable Capital Creation: Sustainable capital has the potential to optimize resource usage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a competitive advantage for businesses.
– Tourism Tech for Good: Advancements in technology have revolutionized the sector, especially since the start of the pandemic. Artificial Intelligence, crypto, block chain, metaverse, NFTs are welcome in this category.
– Tourism Education: Despite representing 10% of the world’s jobs, there is a need for updated data, and new tools for education and skills development.
– Women Empowerment: Women tend to be concentrated in the lowest paid and lowest status jobs in tourism. Startups with a gender focus can be an important contributor to equality.

Start-ups are invited to participate provided that they:

– apply to 1 of the 6 challenges
– include 1 or more SDGs
– are innovative in nature and provide value-added solutions
– are sustainability-driven
– are scalable, with potential for international growth and potential to be applied in corporations and destinations (countries, regions)
– are an Early Stage or Series A startups
– have a tested pilot and business plan
– have been accelerated before
– have a full-time team already in place

The 12 most disruptive startups (2 for each of the Challenges) will be given support to scale-up. UNWTO will present the best ideas to its Member States, Affiliate Members and investors, providing them with a unique networking opportunity. Additional benefits include the chance to pitch at a special UNWTO Demo Day and access to technological support and to the UNWTO Innovation network, as well as a curated mentorship programme with both one-on-one and group training sessions on key topics such as Intellectual Property, sustainability in business and leadership, possible seed funding for female Startup founders from Ankh Impact Ventures, and incubation for 3 months at the SPARK Innovation Lab.

Applications are now open and will close 31 June 2022. The winning startups will be announced in October. To find out more and to apply, visit the webpage of the UNWTO Awake Tourism Challenge, here: https://www.unwto.org/unwto-awake-tourism-challenge

The “Awake Tourism Challenge” is organized by the UNWTO in collaboration with Wakalua, the first global innovation hub for tourism.