World Tourism Organization Initiates Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Competition
UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge: Empowering Innovation in the Global Tourism Sector
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, a global initiative aimed at fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the tourism industry. Since 2018, UN Tourism has organised 32 startup innovation challenges and competitions, reaching over 150 countries worldwide.
The UN Tourism AI Challenge is open to startups, scaleups, SMEs, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators working with AI in tourism or social innovation-related fields. Applicants can be individuals, teams, or companies from across the globe, with a focus on sustainable, inclusive, or community-based tourism solutions incorporating AI technologies.
To apply, candidates must submit a detailed proposal outlining their innovative solution, its potential impact on the tourism sector, and a plan for implementation. Applications can be submitted through the official Challenge website by the deadline, which is 31 March 2025.
Winning projects will gain recognition and visibility on a global platform supporting tourism innovation. They will also have opportunities for scaling up innovations with UN and partner support, potential funding, mentorship, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities to accelerate development and impact. Contributions to sustainable tourism development will align with UN goals.
The winners will receive a two-month incubation at the SPARK innovation sphere for project development and implementation. They will also have the opportunity to showcase at international tourism events and conferences, such as the UN Tourism Demo Day: the UN Tourism Tech Adventures, by the end of 2025.
The UN Tourism AI Challenge has major partners, including SPARK, Unicoin, and Amadeus and its Venture Capital for technology companies. Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, and scalability.
UN Tourism Executive Director, Natalia Bayona, emphasises the potential of AI to add $15.7 to $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, positioning AI as the future of tourism. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlights innovation as a key driver of the future of tourism, and UN Tourism continues efforts to support digitalization and innovation to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For the most accurate and current details, it is recommended to check official UNWTO channels or official UN competition portals when the challenge is officially announced or open for submissions. The UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge is part of UN Tourism's efforts to support digitalization and innovation in tourism, contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive global tourism sector.
