UN Tourism Global Social Innovation Challenge
Introduction
As tourism continues to be a cornerstone of economic growth globally, new challenges and opportunities arise in the face of evolving global dynamics, climate change, and shifting social needs. In 2023, tourism accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and provided 319 million jobs, representing 10% of total employment worldwide. This sector's economic footprint is vast, generating over $9 trillion in economic output annually. However, the complexities of achieving sustainable growth, fostering inclusive practices, and minimizing environmental impacts require innovative approaches that address both local and global challenges.
This Global Social Innovation Challenge seeks to identify and support groundbreaking startups, scaleups, and entrepreneurs who are driving change in three key areas: Community-based Tourism, Inclusivity & Accessibility, and Green Projects. The challenge invites innovative solutions that enhance the tourism ecosystem through sustainable practices, inclusivity, and community empowerment. By focusing on these three pillars, the challenge aims to support initiatives that not only create economic opportunities but also promote equality, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage and natural resources.
Selected finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions at the UN Tourism Tech Adventures and benefit from the UN Tourism Innovation Network, including potential access to finance, pilot projects, and global visibility.
Objectives
- Innovate: Support solutions that empower communities, enhance accessibility, and promote green tourism practices.
- Adopt: Encourage widespread adoption of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable tourism practices.
- Collaborate: Foster partnerships between governments, industries, entrepreneurs and civil society organizations to drive social innovation through global tourism transformation.
- Sustain: Promote long-term solutions that balance economic growth, environmental preservation, and social equity within the tourism sector.
- Scale: Identify and accelerate scale innovations with the potential for global impact in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient tourism industry
Categories
This category seeks solutions that empower local communities across the globe. Innovations should focus on creating projects and platforms that actively involve local communities in cultural and tourism initiatives.
These should prioritize women’s participation in tourism, promote gender equality, encourage youth participation, and support rural development and agrotourism. Additionally, projects should emphasize ecotourism, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the promotion of creative industries, and gastronomy, ensuring that these initiatives generate inclusive economic opportunities—such as job creation in local communities and support for creative entrepreneurs—while preserving natural ecosystems, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable resource management.
This category welcomes innovations that enhance accessibility in tourism for people with or without disability, seniors and travellers with specific access requirements and their families.
It looks for solutions aimed at designing accessible experiences, developing assistive technologies, or providing inclusive services. By fostering universal access to tourism facilities and products, these solutions create a more inclusive industry that benefits travellers and local communities while bringing along new sources of revenue for destinations.
This category invites startups and tourism companies leading innovative initiatives that promote sustainability and regeneration across multiple areas.
This includes environmentally responsible tourism solutions that reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, manage waste or generate circular economy solutions, and promote sustainable and smart infrastructure. Additionally, initiatives that support the conservation of protected areas, like national parks and biosphere reserves, are encouraged, as well as efforts to contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems, biodiversity, and communities through tourism experiences.
Target Startups and Scaleups
Entrepreneurs, startups, scaleups, tourism companies, and organizations that meet the following requirements can apply:
- Have an innovative and/or disruptive nature;
- Offer sustainable and value-added solutions for the tourism sector;
- Leverage new technologies and innovative solutions in community-based tourism, accessibility, and/or green projects;
- Have potential for growth, scalability, and application;
- Preferably have a minimum viable product (MVP). However, projects that are ready to be developed, in later stages of the idea phase will also be considered;
- Have a structured business plan;
- Contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Timeline
Benefits
- 10 Scholarships for Les Roches Diploma of Advanced Studies in International Hospitality Management in the Marbella Campus (Spain); or similar in regards to winner’s profile, time available for study;
- Pitch at UN Tourism Demo Day
- Access to 90+ Investors;
- Access to Top Corporations in 160+ Countries;
- Curated mentorship programmes;
- Potential pilot project with private sector collaborators and institutions;
- Plug and Play benefits:
- Registered profile on Playbook;
- Invitation to participate in the Silicon Valley Summit;
- Access to talent and synergies with Plug and Play’s portfolio;
- Scholarships from the UN Tourism Online Academy.
Innovation
UN Tourism plays a leading role in shaping the global innovation agenda for the tourism sector.
