About UNWTO
UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.Activities by UNWTO
UN Tourism AI Innovation Challenges and Startup Competitions
Africa, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Latin America and the Caribbean ArgentinaAustriaBelgiumBoliviaCambodiaChadUN Tourism has developed additional programmes which identify startups with use cases of AI in different segments of the value-chain, tourism products, and destination types. These include competitions for event tourism, island destinations, hospitality, and gastronomy.
Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeUN Tourism – Women in Tech Startup Competition Middle East 1st Edition
Arab States EgyptSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesCountries across the Middle East have been integrating innovation and women empowerment within their long-term economic development plans. With women across the region becoming more interested in STEM degrees and launching startups, they need support and access to growth and funding opportunities. In this regard, the Women in Tech Startup Competition offers a platform for innovation opportunities in tourism for new entrepreneurs. All the winning startups of the competition were based off AI-solutions: Sparkle Haze (UAE): Award-winning voice AI assistant speaker for luxury hospitality. Plastus Biotech (KSA): Patented tech converts organic waste into 100% biodegradable bioplastic. Fosha (Egypt): AI-powered app for travel service bookings. Xenios Academy (UAE): AI powered EdTech startup with gamified training programs for cafes, restaurants, and hotels to bridge skill gaps. This competition closed with a total of 143 applicants from 11 countries in the Middle East.
Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeUN Tourism Online Academy
Global Not ApplicableUN Tourism Online Academy continues to grow now offering 40+ courses, including courses on AI and technology, from renowned universities and now introducing more content on technologies and their application to daily tourism and hospitality operations. Women account for 57% of the total of students.
Activity Type Trainings/WorkshopsITU Focus Group on Metaverse and the UN Tourism Task Group on Metaverse Tourism
Global BrazilChinaGreeceJapanKenyaRepublic of KoreaSaudi ArabiaUnited KingdomUN Tourism is vice-chair of the ITU Focus Group on Metaverse and leads the Task Group on Metaverse Tourism which attempts to compile a list of possible use cases and applications of technology in the tourism sector and to analyse whether there is a need for standards or guidelines. Recommendations are expected as outputs of the expert discussions.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceNetworks/Mentorship/Exchange