Global AI Challenge to Revolutionize Tourism Sector Launched by UN Tourism

UN Tourism has launched a global competition called the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge to encourage startups and established companies to develop innovative solutions for the tourism sector. The challenge aims to support projects that use digital technologies to improve tourism, promote sustainability, and stimulate economic growth.

Participants in the challenge are urged to focus on digital transformation, sustainability, inclusivity, and digital governance. These areas cover branding and marketing, smart destinations, scalable education solutions, and operational efficiency. The initiative aims to inspire innovation that increases destinations’ attractiveness, improves resource management, and creates intelligent, impactful tourism experiences.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili expressed confidence in the competition, stating that innovation is a key driver of the future of tourism. He highlighted the challenge as an opportunity for innovators to contribute to the sustainable and inclusive growth of the tourism sector.

Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, emphasized AI’s economic potential. She noted that AI will add between $15.7 and $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Bayona stressed that AI represents transformative power and is the future of the tourism sector.

Major partners support the challenge, including SPARK, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, and Unicoin, the official cryptocurrency of Unicorn Hunters, along with Amadeus and its Venture Capital for technology companies.

The Global AI Challenge is open to individuals, teams, and companies worldwide. Applicants must submit a detailed proposal outlining their innovative solution, potential impact on the tourism sector, and implementation plan. Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, and scalability. Applications will be accepted until 31 March 2025. The finalists will get to present their ideas at the UN Tourism Tech Adventures event by the end of 2025.

Winners of the challenge will receive substantial support to develop and implement their projects. This will include two months of incubation at the SPARK innovation sphere, where they will receive guidance from industry experts and leaders in digital innovation. Additionally, they will be given opportunities to showcase their projects at international tourism events and conferences, which will increase their global visibility. They will also gain access to a vast network of tourism professionals and potential investors.

Further information about the challenge and the application process can be found on the official challenge website.

Since 2018, UN Tourism has launched 32 innovation challenges and competitions, covering over 150 countries worldwide. With over 20,000 participants and nearly 400 top startups mapped with over $2 billion in funding, UN Tourism continues its efforts to promote digitalization and innovation to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).