UNWTO Startup Competition for Mega Events and MICE Tourism
Tourism is one of the leading sectors in international trade, accounting in 2019 for 28% of the world's services exports, representing 1,7 trillion dollars from international tourism, turning it into the fifth largest traded services sector (UNWTO). While many factors influence tourism growth, MICE tourism and mega events can contribute massively to the influx of tourists to a country and destination. With this call, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is sourcing the most sustainable, innovative, and disruptive entrepreneurs that offer SMART solutions for mega events and mice tourism that benefit visitors, organizers, and local communities in a sustainable way.
Mega events are large-scale events often of a longer duration that attract a significant number of attendees from different parts of the world, related to sporting, cultural, or business, and they usually have a global impact. They can benefit a host destination in terms of attracting visitors, drawing global attention to destinations, and as a consequence increasing international tourist arrivals. In principle, mega events contribute short-term benefits, yet when executed systematically and in a sustainable way, they can be a catalyst for longer-term tourism development in various aspects from economic to social. Although international tourist arrivals and receipts increase significantly for the host country of a mega event, we must take into account possible tourist displacement and the effect of this kind of tourism on the destination. They can present a range of challenges for the country, the host destination, and the stakeholders involved.
Tourism generated by Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, or MICE Tourism, is a specialized segment of the tourism industry that involves organizing and hosting short-term events and gatherings for business purposes. It is an important sector for many countries and cities, as it can attract significant numbers of high-spending visitors who contribute to the local economy. The tourism industry relies on effective marketing and promotion to attract attendees and exhibitors, as well as on skilled event organizers who can manage the logistics and coordination of large-scale events.
Both tourism activities generate a substantial amount of tourist arrivals but present different challenges.
Present your business and offer an innovative solution to the challenges of mega events and mice tourism!
- Digitalization and Disruptiveness for Sustainable Event Management: Mega events can have significant environmental impacts, such as increased energy and water consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Disruptive ideas that contribute to sustainable event management practices can help to minimize these impacts by reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting renewable energy. Digital technologies can be used to enhance the attendee experience and improve mega events, as well as serves as a tool for sustainability for both the infrastructure and the services.
Key challenges waste reduction, conserving resources, renewable energy, enhancing attendee experience, and emerging technologies.
- Inclusiveness and Accessibility: Mega events can often be exclusive and not accessible to everyone. Inclusive event design aims to create events that are accessible and welcoming to all attendees, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. In addition, they have an impact on the surrounding communities, both positive and negative. Engaging with local communities can help to build trust and support for the event, as well as to identify and address any concerns or issues that arise. This can involve partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and local government.
Key challenges: fan engagement, promotion of values, accessible infrastructure, involvement and partnership with local communities
- Promotion and Marketing: There is significant competition among destinations to attract MICE events. Host destinations must differentiate themselves from other destinations and provide a compelling value proposition to event organizers. These events require effective marketing and promotion to attract attendees and exhibitors. Event organizers and host destinations must develop targeted marketing campaigns that reach the right audience and communicate the event's unique value.
Key challenges: differentiation and competition of host destinations, targeted marketing, communication, exhibitions, and brand awareness.
- Technology for attendee engagement and infrastructure: MICE events must engage attendees and provide a compelling experience that meets their needs and expectations. This includes developing relevant content, providing networking opportunities, and incorporating technology to enhance the attendee experience. In addition, challenges related to venue availability, transportation, accommodation, communication infrastructure, security, and sustainable infrastructure, arise for these types of high-level events.
Key challenges: security, network opportunities, logistics, registration, communication with attendees, translation, and audiovisual innovation.

31 May 2023
Launch of the challenge

Deadline for candidatures

September 2023
Announcement of the finalist startups (online)

September-October 2023
Pitch of the finalists
The purpose of the competition is to capture the attention of many startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses from around the global tourism value chain to facilitate the selection of those most relevant to the challenge we are addressing.
The business must offer an innovative and disruptive solution for one of the challenges of Mega Events and MICE Tourism.
In addition, the competition will require the following requirements to participate: The projects must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations and preferably also allow for an introduction or adaptation of digital and technological elements, and focused on one (or several) of the following areas:
- Be innovative/disruptive in nature providing value-added solutions;
- Harnessing the impact of new technologies;
- Alternative and complementary business models to harness the economic impact of tourism in destination(s);
- Smart and innovative solutions for sustainable experiences;
- Entrepreneur/promoter team: Suitability of the promoter team, motivation, and interest;
- Startup in Seed Stage or Early Stage (have a minimum viable product or an idea that is ready to be developed);
- Emphasize the promotion of gender equity (and female empowerment), digitalization, environmental preservation, local communities, and youth leadership;
- Opportunity to join UNWTO Innovation Network
- Opportunity to participate and pitch solution at a Global UNWTO event
- Potential opportunity to provide a demo of the solution at an upcoming global UNWTO event
- Visibility on UNWTO global platforms and social media networks
- Scholarships for UNWTO Tourism Online Academy
- Access to potential Mentorship programs with international leaders in the field of innovation
- Networking opportunities with UNWTO and key partners
- Access to potential seed funding, investments, and partnership opportunities with consultancies, accelerators, and incubators within the UNWTO Network
With the Participation of:




About Innovation at UNWTO:
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) believes that innovation is the key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To drive the digitalization of tourism, create an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that will maximize the potential of the sector in terms of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and anticipate, address and overcome the new challenges and trends of the tourism sector, in 2018 UNWTO developed a framework for Innovation, Education, Digital Transformation and Investments.
The IEI Department already launched 23 global, regional, and specific challenges, and 21 Tourism Tech Adventures (Innovation Forums) in 14 countries were held, with an additional 8 online editions. Total funding of 214 + USD million has been gathered for the UNWTO Top Startups

UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.
World Tourism Day 2023 will be a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.

World Tourism Day 2023 Events
UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East
Be a Woman, Be a Leader.

Tourism Empowers Women
According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), women make up most of the tourist workforce in major parts of the world. UNWTO is always committed to gender equality, as mandated in Sustainable Development Goal 5, referring to women empowerment by supporting women’s rights and improving their participation in the business realm. UNWTO’s global report on tourism found that more than 54% of people employed in the tourism are women, while in the Arab world, women represent 8% of the regional tourist workforce. UNWTO is continuously seizing opportunities to highlight the role of women in the tourism sector, and particularly Arab women.
Women and Technology
Technology has become a driven tool for all travelers and tourism businesses. In the Arab region, 34% of tech focused startups were founded by women, and 57% of science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduates are women. UNWTO is committed to support Arab entrepreneurs, boosting their tourism business careers. Hence, the industry is always searching for businesswomen with technological solutions and specialized skills to oversee smart digital projects. For this reason, UNWTO launched a startup competition to find the most innovative tech-driven startups in the realm of tourism, managed by women.
UNWTO and Innovation
Since 2018, the Innovation, Education and Investments Department at UNWTO has launched 23 global, regional, and specific startup competitions and challenges in more than 150 countries. In parallel, it has organized 21 Tourism Tech Adventures (Innovation Forums) in 14 countries, with an additional 8 online editions. A total funding of +214 USD million has been raised for Top Startups.
The UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East, calls for women entrepreneurs from all over the world and based in the Arab region willing to grow their tech startup in the tourism industry, and provide sustainable solutions to the sector.
Which startups can apply?
- Startups must be led, owned or managed by women in the Middle East, residing in any of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.
- Be an Idea Stage, Early Stage or Series A startups with a minimum viable product or idea that is ready to be developed and funded.
- Have a full-time team, a tested pilot and business plan.
- Be scalable with potential for international growth.
Startups will apply to one of the 4 categories below, defined by UNWTO. Since some initiatives may be fitting into more than one category, please choose the one where the predicted positive impact will be greatest.
CATEGORY 1- Social Impact: We live in an increasingly connected and interdependent world, transformed by digital advances lead by women. Technology can help us advance social, cultural, and environmental objectives, creating meaningful impact for people across borders. If well managed, technology can enable the tourism sector to act as an agent of positive change for healthier lifestyles, enriched and revitalized cultural destinations, and more sustainable consumption and production patterns.
This category is open for women-led startups that focus on technology in wellness, health, urban development, rural development, sustainability, and education with cross-cutting benefits with tourism.
CATEGORY 2 - Tourism and Travel Experience: The tourism sector faced unprecedented disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic that it is still recovering from. New technologies, digital tools and capacities are needed to accelerate recovery and define the future of the sector. Tech and digitalization can no longer be a niche, they must be a fundamental part of the new norm for the industry. This is particularly the case in the Middle East, a region that is witnessing a push to increase tourism offerings and their quality, to emerge as a key destination on the global stage.
This thematic area invites to participate women-led startups focusing on the food and beverage, transportation and accommodation, travel, and retail industries.
CATEGORY 3 - Future Tech: Digitalization is no longer a trend in the Middle East, it is here to stay for all sectors, including tourism. Many countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, amongst others, are moving towards implementing a smart destinations approach to tourism.
This category targets women-led startups that work in the areas of fintech, AI, AR/VR, crypto currency, internet of things, blockchain technology, digital twining and the metaverse.
CATEGORY 4 - Events and Community: Today, technology and social media platforms enable communities around the world, even if they exist online, in-person or in a hybrid format. Whether these communities focus on sports, arts and culture, gaming, literature, professional or personal interests and events, they are being managed and run through technology.
This thematic area is for women-led startups that have a special focus on social and messaging platforms, e-sports and gaming platforms, community-based applications, events-related platforms, and education technology to participate.
The winners of Women in Tech Startup Competition Middle East will gain from the following benefits:
- Invitation to join UNWTO Innovation Network, with access to more than 447 investors, 47 incubators, 1274 corporations and representatives from governments, academia and media from all over the world.
- Opportunity to participate and pitch in the UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventure high-level event, that will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 27 September for the celebration of International Tourism Day.
- Visibility on all UNWTO platforms and social media networks, with a global reach.
- Mentorship programs with international leaders in the field of innovation.
- Access to potential seed funding, investments, and partnership opportunities with consultancies, accelerators and incubators.
- Scholarships for UNWTO Tourism Online Academy, which has more than 20.000 alumni, and offers courses in different languages, including Arabic, produced in partnership with international top Universities all over the world.
- Prospective opportunities to talk as guest keynote speakers and panelists at international forums.

March 2023
Launch Date

July 2023
Application Deadline

July 2023
Shortlisted decision

27 September
World Tourism Day Tourism Tech Adventures Pitch of the finalists Round tables and thematic sessions

2023-2024
Impact Personalized support for finalist startups
About Innovation at UNWTO:
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) believes that innovation is the key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To drive the digitalization of tourism, create an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that will maximize the potential of the sector in terms of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and anticipate, address and overcome the new challenges and trends of the tourism sector, in 2018 UNWTO developed a framework for Innovation, Education, Digital Transformation and Investments.
The IEI Department already launched 23 global, regional, and specific challenges, and 21 Tourism Tech Adventures (Innovation Forums) in 14 countries were held, with an additional 8 online editions. Total funding of 214 + USD million has been gathered for the UNWTO Top Startups
UNWTO Digital Futures Program for Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs)
Digital Futures Program - Connectivity Pathway
Digital infrastructure is at the heart of digitalization. The connectivity path is essential to many business functions today, which allow them to manage their business-critical data and operations, but also connect them with the world. This path will cover how devices communicate on a network, how to build a business network infrastructure, manage IT environments, and configure basic security and other connectivity services for SMEs.
Networking Essentials
In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of networking. It covers how devices communicate on a network, network addressing and network services, how to build a home network and configure basic security, and testing and troubleshooting network problems.
Networking Essentials Global
Networking is at the heart of every digital organization. The network is essential to many business functions today, including business-critical data and operations, cybersecurity, and so much more. Naturally, it is critical to a wide variety of career paths to understand what the network can do, how it operates, and how to protect it.
Cybersecurity Essentials
Develop a foundational understanding of cybersecurity and how it relates to information and network security. Learn from cybersecurity professionals what a typical day in a cybersecurity career might look like and discover how unprecedented threats are driving demand for more cybersecurity jobs.
Introduction to Cybersecurity Basic
You’ll learn cybersecurity basics to protect your personal digital life and gain insights into the biggest security challenges companies, governments, and educational institutions face today. Cybersecurity professionals who can protect and defend an organization’s network are in high demand.
Introduction to Cybersecurity Intermediate
It explores cyber trends, threats—along with the broader topic of cybersecurity in a way that will matter to you. In this course, you’ll learn how to protect your personal privacy online while gaining additional insight on the challenges companies, and governmental and educational institutions face today.
Entrepreneurship - Launching Pad
The Launching Pad provides you tools to become a successful entrepreneur. This course is made for you to jump-starting your ideas, and to arm you with the right skills to take the next step with more self-confidence. No prerequisites required.
Digital Paths for SMEs
The digital paths were curated based on impact assessments of adoption of digital and disruptive technologies in SMEs during the COVID-19 crisis, market trends, and different reports from UNWTO, and other organizations that identified digital fluency, skills shortages, and needs across different tourism subsectors. These digital paths offer top practical tools provided by top tech companies. The content and tools are structured in 5 dimensions which allows SMEs to identify their main needs and tailor a digital path determined by a Digital Readiness Tool and accelerate their digital transformation.
2022 has been the year to rethink tourism.
Countries around the world turned UNWTO’s vision for a greener, smarter and more inclusive sector into real action.
2020 showed the relevance of tourism for sustainable development.
2021 laid the foundations for the transformation of the sector.
In 2022, we made it happen.

2022 began on a positive note. Data from UNWTO showed that tourism was cautiously taking off, and that it needed to be rethought. The UN amplified UNWTO’s global advocacy for tourism’s role in recovery. UNWTO partnered with sister agencies like WHO for example, around joint warnings that “Blanket Travel Restrictions Don’t Work".

Advancing common UN goals, UNWTO and WHO called for the lifting of travel bans and agreed to collaborate on a global trust architecture for the recovery of travel. While leaders committed to join UNWTO to build a social and environmentally sustainable tourism, February ended with UNWTO leading the voice of tourism for peace and solidarity in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UNWTO data continued to reflect the promising start of tourism in 2022. This month, UNWTO released New Guidelines Put Women’s Empowerment at Heart of Tourism’s Restart, and announced the launch of the second edition of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO to promote rural development through tourism.

Meeting for the first ever extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly against the backdrop of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, UNWTO Members voted to suspend Russia from Membership. Reinforcing the Global Goals, UNWTO launched the “Awake Tourism Challenge” for startups. The Glasgow Declaration kept growing since its launch at COP26 and surpassed 500 signatories to take climate action through tourism.

A landmark moment: UNWTO and tourism reached the top of the UN agenda: the first ever UN General Assembly High-Level Debate on Sustainable Tourism in New York, fueling immediate actions and reverberating during the rest of the year. Other May highlights include upgrading SMEs with the Digital Futures programme, and strengthening consumers’ rights with more countries adhering to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists.

Facing up to uncertainty, tourism kept on growing, as reported by the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This set the backdrop for the 116 UNWTO Executive Council (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). UNWTO successfully advocated for tourism action at the UN Ocean Conference (Lisbon, Portugal), ahead of the biggest event on tourism and youth.

Youth empowerment is a UNWTO priority. The first Global Youth Tourism Summit gathered young people from 57 countries to be part of tourism’s decisions, as reflected in the Sorrento Call to Action. That same month, the UN Secretary-General's Progress report on SDGs drew on UNWTO’s statistical work to track tourism’s role in driving growth.

International tourism continued reporting positive, recording 250 million international arrivals during the first five months of 2022. This set the backdrop ahead of World Tourism Day 2022 and its theme Rethinking Tourism.

27 September, World Tourism Day emphasized the sector’s unique potential to drive recovery and deliver positive change for people everywhere. This followed the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Bali, where UNWTO presented the G20 Bali Guidelines for SMEs. Looking at the progress since the start of the year, tourism was back to 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
A busy month also saw UNWTO advancing tourism and rural development at the 6th Wine Conference on Wine Tourism (Alba, Italy), and promoting education in tourism with the launch of the first national competition of UNWTO Students’ League in Switzerland.

Sustainability and the green transformation of tourism took centre stage in October as the UNWTO International Network of Tourism Observatories (INSTO) welcomed more members, and Ministers agreed to advance circularity and climate action in Pan European tourism.

Tourism was transformed at the UNWTO Ministers’ Summit, the most successful edition to date with delegates joining UNWTO’s vision to rethink tourism. UNWTO made the case for tourism in COP27, where it represented over 700 signatories of the Glasgow Declaration advancing a NetZero sector. This was followed by new data showing arrivals reached 63% of pre-pandemic levels during January-September 2022. This set the framework for the 117 UNWTO Executive Council (Marrakesh, Morocco).

Rural development, inclusivity and sustainability led conversations at the 7th World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism. Winners of Best Tourism Villages and Students League wrapped up 2022 with their solutions to boost rural development through tourism. In 2023 we look forward, making the shift from rethinking to transforming the sector around key priorities: jobs and training, education and youth development, and sustainability and innovation. With UNWTO as tourism's voice at the global level, including at the UN General Assembly, the sector has never been more relevant - nor more needed.
UNWTO STARTUP COMPETITION FOR ISLAND DESTINATIONS
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Category 1: Deep Tech: New technologies applied to sustainability
Finalists:
- Artemis Technologies (UK)
- Inteligg (Greece)
- Playtur (Argentina)
- Farmlike (Spain)
Category 2: Innovation & Digitalization for Island Destinations
Finalists:
- Costa Nostrum (Greece)
- Volvero (Italy)
- Localbird (Spain)
- WROXAI (India)
15-16 March 2023, Las Palmas, Canary Islands | Venue: Palacio Congresos
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Institución Ferial de Canarias (INFECAR), are joining forces in this startup competition to source the most sustainable, innovative and disruptive business models to provide answers and smart solutions to the complex challenges island destinations are facing with especially after the aftermath of the pandemic.
Tourism is livelihoods of islands. It has become the main economic activity for many islands around the world, creating much needed job opportunities and bringing in important income and foreign exchange earnings. Their special geographical situation and their immense natural and cultural richness makes islands unique for visitors, but at the same time, confronts them with a number of challenges and vulnerabilities exacerbated also by the devasting effects and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, investing in sustainable tourism in islands is the only path to ensure that the sector continues to advance socio-economic welfare while protecting their fragile ecosystems.
This competition will source entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across the globe that can offer innovative and smart solutions for island destinations in a more sustainable way. The call will identify and support those that contribute to the post-pandemic recovery and resilience of the tourism ecosystem of island destinations through the development of innovative and smart tourism solutions and products.
Selected Finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions In Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain on 16 March 2023. The Canary Islands are characterised by rich cultural and natural heritage, unique biodiversity (40% of the region is a protected area) fantastic climate all-year-around, traditional cuisine and vibrant cities, which make the islands a touristic hotspot and a leading tourism destination receiving millions of tourists every year.
Category 1: Deep Tech: New technologies applied to sustainability: We live in an increasingly connected and interdependent world with digital advances transforming how we inform ourselves, transforming our behaviour, and encouraging innovation. Technology helps us to manage our social, cultural and environmental impacts better. Moreover, if well managed, tourism can act as an agent of positive change for more sustainable lifestyles, destinations, and consumption and production patterns. The unprecedented disruption of the sector caused by the COVID-19 pandemic requires that new technologies, digital tools and capacities are developed to accelerate the sustainability shift. Sustainability must no longer be a niche part of tourism but must be the new norm for every part of our sector and this is especially relevant for island destinations. Island destinations need to transform tourism that emerging from COVID-19 by embracing and supporting the development of new technologies and digital tools for their very specific needs. We are looking for innovative startups who could assist island destinations to achieve and accelerate this shift, by using and developing new technologies and digital tools applied to sustainability within a specific island context.
Category 2: Innovation & Digitalization for Island Destinations: Rebuilding tourism is an opportunity for transformation with a focus on leveraging its impact on island destinations and building more resilient communities and businesses through innovation, digitalization, sustainability, and partnerships. We are looking for startups developing smart solutions that harnessing innovation and digital technologies that provide tourism with opportunities to strengthen resilience, improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda and specifically designed for island destinations.

12 January 2023
Launch of the competition

Deadline of the applications

3 March 2023
Announcement of finalists

15 March 2023
Acceleration and Mentorships by experts in the field

16 March
Tourism Tech Adventures Canarias Pitch of the finalists
The purpose of the competition is to capture particularly the attention of startups and entrepreneurs from across the tourism value chain to facilitate the offering of innovative and smart solutions related the complex challenges the tourism sector of island destinations are facing with.
Startups are invited to participate if meeting the following criteria
- Are innovative/disruptive in nature and provide value-added and sustainable solutions for the tourism sector of island destinations
- Harnessing the impact of new technologies especially within the context of blue and green economies,
- Offer alternative and complementary business models to harness the economic impact of tourism in island destinations,
- Be scalable: to have potential for international growth and potential to be applied in island destinations,
- Be an Early Stage or Series A startups
- Have a minimum viable product or an idea that is ready to be developed and funded,
- Have a tested pilot and business plan
- Have a full-time team
- Emphasize the promotion of digitalization, innovation in environmental preservation and impact on local communities,
- All ways of innovation are welcome: new methods, processes, governance models, social impact initiatives, and technologies.
- Opportunity to Pitch your solution at the UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventures in Gran Canaria, Spain on 15-16 March 2023
- Mentorships by UNWTO and top partners
- Tailored support for your startup
- Become a member of the UNWTO Innovation Network
- Scholarship opportunities for the Tourism Online Academy
About Innovation at UNWTO:
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) believes that innovation is the key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To drive the digitalization of tourism, create an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that will maximize the potential of the sector in terms of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and anticipate, address and overcome the new challenges and trends of the tourism sector, in 2018 UNWTO developed a framework for Innovation, Education, Digital Transformation and Investments.
The IEI Department already launched 23 global, regional, and specific challenges, and 21 Tourism Tech Adventures (Innovation Forums) in 14 countries were held, with an additional 8 online editions. Total funding of 214 + USD million has been gathered for the UNWTO Top Startups
About INFECAR:
The Trade Fair Institution of the Canary Islands (INFECAR) is a meeting point for economic and promotion activities.
INFECAR is located in the city centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and it is extremely well-connected with the rest of the island. It also offers its clients a unique track record of experience as leaders in event organisation in the Canary Islands.
It is an active member of the Spanish Association of Trade Fairs (AFE), the Spanish Association of Conference Centres (APCE), the Gran Canaria Convention Bureau, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), and the International Association of American Trade Fairs (AFIDA).
This emblematic venue offers pavilions, a conference centre with multi-purpose rooms, two large parking areas and landscaped gardens.
This combination of infrastructure and services enables professionals from all walks of life and parts of the world to make the most of this exceptional event venue for the organisation of trade fairs, conferences, work meetings or exhibitions in Las Palmas. Gran Canaria is a permanent bridge between Europe, America and Africa and has a consolidated reputation in the field of event organisation, thanks to its unbeatable climate, infrastructures and hotels, as well as the wide range of economic, social and cultural possibilities on offer.
Related links
UNWTO Startup Competition:
National Tourism Startup Competition:
Invest in the development of Moroccan Tourism supported by SMIT
We encourage Startups and Entrepreneurs from Morocco to present their ideas to innovate the Moroccan tourism sector for future generations and transform the sector into a digital one that is more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.
Boost innovation! I want to invest in the Future of Moroccan Tourism!
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Moroccan Agency of Tourism Development Société Marocaine d’Ingénierie Touristique (SMIT), are joining forces in this national startup competition to source the most innovative and disruptive business models adapted to the tourism needs of future generations.
Morocco offers the ideal balance of dynamic landscapes, colorful architecture, and vibrant cities. These cities and regions increasingly need to generate new experiences for their inhabitants and for the tourists they receive annually while preserving their natural and cultural heritage.
This competition will source entrepreneurs that can offer new experiences and solutions for tourists in a more sustainable way. The call will identify and support those that contribute to the recovery and future of the tourism sector through the development of innovative tourism products.
In 2019, Morocco received 12,9 million international tourist arrivals, accounting for half of the tourist arrivals in North Africa, and a total of 8,2 million dollars in international tourism receipts, with 25 million overnight stays. The Moroccan tourism sector is a very important source of jobs which counted for 565.000 jobs in 2019, counting for 7% of the GDP.
Morocco received 3,7 million international arrivals in 2021, more than 34% compared to 2020. So far, in the first six months of 2022, Morocco has received 4 times (+200%) as many international tourists as in the same six months of 2021, but 27% below the same months of 2019. In the month of June 2022, arrivals in Morocco were only 2,5% below 2019 levels, meaning they almost reached pre-pandemic values. These figures reflect a rapid recovery in Morocco’s inbound tourism.
By promoting connections among the actors that form part of the tourism entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, the UNWTO aims to generate employment and business opportunities to recover Moroccan tourism.
To start your application, the startup must select one of the following categories:
Category 1: Innovation in blue economies – Life below water
Morocco is one of the world's top destinations for water sports (surfing and kitesurfing), capitalizing on the mythical spots of the Atlantic corridor. The offered experiences revolve around the discovery of water sports pleasures and are mainly declined in aquatic activities, such as surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and relaxation activities such as yoga retreats by the sea.
In this category, we are looking for solutions that contribute to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
Category 2: Innovation in natural heritage - Life on Land
Sub-category: Nature, trekking & hiking
Sub-category: Desert & Oasis Adventure
Morocco’s dynamic landscape offers mountains, oasis/palm groves, lakes, valleys, and natural parks, anchored in a transversal approach of sustainable tourism (e.g. sports and cultural activities, local population immersion, and ecolodges). The experiences related to this theme revolve around trekking/slowtrek, nature and discovery of wide-open spaces, exclusive stays/experiences in the heart of nature, new outdoor activities, mindfullness and yoga retreats.
In addition, Morocco offers authentic desert getaways, alongside the links of the value chain (guides/agencies, tours, non-glamping trendy accommodations, animation, etc.) to improve and enhance the experiences of road trips, rallies or trekking. The related experiences are mainly road-trips (including rallies & marathons), homestays in the desert, creating unforgettable and magical experiences in the desert.
Category 3: Innovation in cultural heritage - Preservation through cultural innovation
Morocco has a diverse and rich cultural heritage, with strengthened medinas, Berber earthen houses, kasbahs, but also a very rich gastronomy and a wonderful craft industry. We are looking for startups that can discover the potential of unexploited tourism products through the rehabilitation and the revaluation of material heritage (medinas, ksours and kasbahs) and new activities.
Category 4: Sustainable Urban Futures
To consolidate and complete the city-break offer with animation, festivity, culture, and outdoor activities of the Kingdom's main urban tourism destinations, we are looking for startups that present sustainable and SMART features that can assure Moroccan cities are accessible, resourceful and diverse.

25 November 2022
Launch in the Thematic Session of the UNWTO Executive Council

Deadline of the applications.

March 2023
Selection and announcement of the preselected candidates

April - June 2023 (tbc)
(2 days before the final event) Acceleration and Mentorships by experts in the field

April - June 2023 (tbc)
Tourism Tech Adventures Morocco Pitch of the finalists Round tables and Thematic Sessions

2023-2024
Impact:
Personalized support for winning startups
The purpose of the competition is to capture the attention of a large number of startups, tour operators, and entrepreneurs from the Kingdom of Morocco from across the tourism value chain to facilitate the selection of those that are most relevant to the challenge we are addressing.
The business must offer an innovative solution that is legally based in Morocco.
In addition, the competition will require the following requirements to participate:
The projects must be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations and preferably also allow for an introduction or adaptation of digital and technological elements, and focused on one (or several) of the following areas:
- Be innovative/disruptive in nature providing value-added solutions;
- Harnessing the impact of new technologies;
- Alternative and complementary business models to harness the economic impact of tourism in destination(s);
- Smart and innovative solutions for sustainable experiences;
- Entrepreneur/promoter team: Suitability of the promoter team, motivation, and interest;
- Startup in Seed Stage or Early Stage (have a minimum viable product or an idea that is ready to be developed and funded);
- Emphasize the promotion of gender equity (and female empowerment), digitalization, environmental preservation, local communities, and youth leadership;
- Invitation of the winners to pitch at the UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventures Morocco (March – TBC);
- Mentorship and pitch training by UNWTO and Partners;
- Access to 90+ Venture Capitalists, Top Corporations, and 150+ Countries;
- Become a Member of the UNWTO Innovation Network;
- Scholarship opportunities for the Tourism Online Academy;
- Access to acceleration programmes (TBC)
About Innovation at UNWTO:
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) believes that innovation is the key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To drive the digitalization of tourism, create an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that will maximize the potential of the sector in terms of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and anticipate, address and overcome the new challenges and trends of the tourism sector, in 2018 UNWTO developed a framework for Innovation, Education, Digital Transformation and Investments.
The IEI Department already launched 23 global, regional, and specific challenges, and 21 Tourism Tech Adventures (Innovation Forums) in 14 countries were held, with an additional 8 online editions. Total funding of 214 + USD million has been gathered for the UNWTO Top Startups
About the Société Marocaine d’Ingénierie Touristique (SMIT):
The Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development – SMIT is a government institution created in 2008 by the Moroccan government in order to implement the development strategy of the tourism product in Morocco. In order to make the Moroccan tourism product more attractive, SMIT provids support and assistance to investors and local communities through a range of actions and incentives. Capitalizing on its extensive knowledge of the Moroccan market and on its knowledge of the needs of development of each region, SMIT offers qualitative, tailored solutions to the development of natural and cultural assets, to promote the development of a unique product that stands out from the international offer.
Through the identification of the right concept for each destination, SMIT aims to shape the Moroccan tourism landscape, while extending the socio-economic advantages to each component of the industry's value chain and ensuring equity between territories.
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HUMAN STORIES

Human stories reflecting the benefits of tourism travelling beyond tourism
Sustainable
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During the celebration, UNWTO launched its first World Tourism Day Report, the first in an annual series of updates and analysis of the Organization’s work guiding the sector forward. The inaugural report is titled “Rethinking Tourism: From Crisis to Transformation”, reflecting the timely relevance of the 2022 theme as well as the unprecedented crisis that hit the sector in 2020.

Tourism’s relevance has never been clearer. The time is now to seize this opportunity to rethink how we do tourism.
Arrival and Registration of participants
Welcome dinner (For all registered delegates)
Opening Ceremony
Special Address by Mr. I Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali
Welcome remarks by H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia
Congratulatory Message by H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of The Republic of Indonesia, Video Taping (Tbc)
Opening remarks by Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO
Culture Performance
Group Photo
Coffee Break – News Conference
Presentation: World Tourism Day 2022 Report: from Crisis to Transformation
Mr. Marcelo Risi, UNWTO Chief of Communications
Mr. Phillip Orga, Head of Swiss Economic Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Indonesia (International Expert)
High-Level Debate on Rethinking Tourism
Moderator: Ms. Emma Nelson, presenter at BBC TV news
Speakers:
H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia
H.E. Ms. Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Bahrain
H.E. Mr. Faiyaz Koya, Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport of Fiji
H.E. Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
H.E. Mr. Cho Yongman, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea
H.E. Ms. María Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Spain
Ms. Claudia Müller, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry and for Tourism, Germany
Ms. Julia Simpson, President & CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Lunch Hosted by Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy
Panel Discussion - Rethinking Tourism and New Governance for Recovery
Moderator: Ms. Sandra Carvão, Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness, UNWTO
Introductory remarks by Mrs. Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy
Speakers:
Ms. Fransiska Handoko, Chairwoman of the Bali Hotel Association (BHA) and General Manager of Risata Bali Resort & Spa
Mr. Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General, ASEAN (TBC)
Mr. Jozua Makes, Founder of Plataran Hospitality Group
Ms. Laretna T. Adishakti, Lecturer and Coordinator of The Center for Heritage Conservation, Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada
The Tourism We Want - A conversation with Local Representatives
Moderator: Ms. Emma Nelson, presenter at BBC TV news
Speakers:
Ms. Melati Wijsen, Youth UN Envoy and Founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags
Mr. Kadek Fendi Wirawan, Marine Biologist & Scientific Diver, Representative from Indonesian Coral Reef Garden
Mr. Agung Suryawan Wiranatha, Head of Centre of Excellence in Tourism, Udayana University in Bali, Coordinator of the INSTO Observatory in Sanur (Bali)
Mr. Sugeng Handoko, Secretary of Nglanggeran Tourism Village Management – BTV 2021
Mr. I Wayan Budiarta, Representative from Panglipuran Tourism Village, Bali
Mr. Juan Kartika Sitepu, Representative from Tangkahan Village, North Sumatera (TBC)
UNWTO Affiliate Members: Breaking the ground in private-public partnership
Moderator: Mr. Juan Daniel Solana Alonso, General Director, Basquetour
Welcome Remarks by Mr. Ion Vilcu, Director, Affiliate Members Department, UNWTO
Speakers:
Mr. Ruben Hattari, Director Public Policy – SEA, NETFLIX
Ms. Beth Potter, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)
Mr. Steven Liew, APAC Policy Director, AirBnb
Mr. Lee Sang Hoon, Executive Director of International Tourism & MICE, Seoul Tourism Organization
Mr. Ion Vilcu, Director, Affiliate Members Department, UNWTO
Q&A
Conclusion & Closing
Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO
H.E. Mr. Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia
H.E. Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
World Tourism Day Dinner -(by invitation only)
Magical Bali, Wonderful Indonesia - Technical Tour
The official World Tourism Day celebration will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on 27 September, highlighting the shift towards tourism being recognized as a crucial pillar of development.
Zurab Pololikashvili
UNWTO Secretary-GeneralRethinking one of the world’s major economic sectors will not be easy. But we are already well on the way. Crisis has inspired and catalized creativity. And the pandemic accelerated the transformation of work, bringing both challenges as well as enormous opportunities to ensure even more people get to benefit from tourism’s restart. "
António Guterres
UN Secretary-GeneralTourism is a powerful driver for sustainable development. It contributes to the education and empowerment of women and youth and advances the socioeconomic and cultural development of communities. It plays a critical part in the social protection systems that form the foundation for resilience and prosperity."
Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of IndonesiaThe pandemic highlighted the critical need to transform the tourism industry and now we finally celebrate World Tourism Day as the global tourism slowly recovers. As emphasized by the theme: "Rethinking Tourism", I believe the time is now to begin this transformation. "
3 actions you can take to #RethinkTourism
Find everything you need to celebrate World Tourism Day, including social media images, graphics and animations.
Save the date for World Tourism Day 2022!
Share your personal experiences and journeys to showcase the transformative power of tourism.