WINNERS OF UNWTO STUDENTS’ LEAGUE ANNOUNCED

Since the launch of the Global UNWTO Students’ League 2021 edition in May this year, the 155 teams participating have been working on the challenges focused on addressing the issue of plastics pollution within the sector and on maximizing tourism’s contributions to rural development.

The 4 Teams with the highest score per category and challenge after the written evaluation pitched their solutions live in July to the Jury compete. The four winning solutions in the Rural Tourism challenges were announced on September 30th as follows:

  • Rural Middle School – 11-13

Ma’anshan nº7 Middle School, China

  • Rural High School – 14-18

Team Um Mabbad Alkuzia School, Um Mabbad Basic Education Girls School, Oman

  • Rural Undergraduates

Team Climate Crew, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

  • Rural Masters

Team Off Beat, Università Bocconi – Master in Economia del Turismo, Italy

These solutions included works of art, calls to action, Instagram and other digital marketing campaigns, and potential strategies to help destinations untap rural tourism potential. Several of the ideas submitted to the competition have already been picked up and implemented by stakeholders across the tourism sector.

“The tourism of tomorrow must be inclusive, sustainable and embrace local values. The UNWTO Students League is a unique chance for students from around the world to help lead this change.” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili