Applications are open for the 2025 UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge in Tourism. As AI and advanced technologies transform the travel industry, the 2025 UN Tourism Global AI and Deep Tech Challenge seeks to improve AI to enhance personalized services, streamline operations, and boost customer engagement. With international travel fully recovering, this initiative aims to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and promote scalable AI solutions in tourism.

The Challenge targets startups and scaleups in tourism or tech with proven business models, an established customer base, and a track record of innovation.

The Challenge emphasizes the need for accessible AI technologies, fosters equitable adoption, and ensures broad participation. By uniting governments, industries, and experts, the goal is to address tourism’s key challenges, optimize operations, and elevate the overall visitor experience to fuel economic growth.

Goals:

• Innovate: Support AI solutions that enhance efficiency and transform traveler experiences in tourism.
• Adopt: Ensure equitable AI adoption, making technologies accessible to all communities.
• Drive Growth: Promote AI solutions to optimize operations and elevate service quality across the industry.
• Collaborate: Unite governments, industries, and experts to tackle key tourism challenges with AI.
• Shape the Future: Leverage AI to meet user needs, improve logistics, and boost tourism’s economic impact.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: March 2025
• Result Announcement Dates: April 2025 (Finalists)
• Organizer: United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
• Eligible Countries: All
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Startups and scaleups in tourism and technology sectors
• Focus Areas: Artificial intelligence, tourism, sustainability, and innovation
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Switzerland

Benefits

Participants and winners of the Challenge will receive the following benefits:

• Showcasing Opportunity: Presentation at the UN Tourism Demo Day.
• Acceleration Program: Exclusive access to SPARK, the Innovation Sphere of Les Roches.
• Venture Capital Exposure: Access to over 90 venture capitalists and potential investors.
• Global Networking: Connection with leading companies and participants from over 150 countries.
• Mentorship: Personalized mentoring programs tailored to the needs of each startup or scaleup.
• Pilot Project Opportunities: Possibility to collaborate with private sector institutions.
• Plug-and-play benefits include a registered profile on Playbook, invitations to the Silicon Valley Summit, and access to talent and synergies.

Challenge Categories

The Challenge has four main categories as follows:

• Brand, Promotion, and Marketing: Innovative AI and deep tech solutions to enhance brand value, promote sustainable practices, preserve cultural heritage, and improve visitor experiences, all while maintaining global appeal and authenticity.
• Smart Destinations and Deep Technologies: This category uses integrated technologies to create seamless, sustainable tourism experiences. It focuses on innovations that optimize destination management, improve operational efficiency, and elevate the quality of tourism.
• Education and Technology: Leveraging AI and digital platforms to enhance education and training in the tourism sector. Focused on developing sustainable career paths and equipping professionals with skills to support eco-friendly tourism growth.
• Efficiency and Operations: Utilizing AI and deep technologies to manage tourism flows and improve cross-border travel efficiency. Solutions focus on balancing visitor distribution, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring smooth, safe travel operations.

Eligibility Criteria

The UN Global AI Challenge in Tourism targets startups and scaleups in tourism or tech with proven business models, an established customer base, and a track record of innovation. These companies are ready for the next growth phase and must meet the following criteria:

1. Technological Innovation
   • Proven Technology Readiness: Deployment of AI or emerging tech that addresses real-world challenges.
   • AI Ethics & Compliance: Adherence to regulations like GDPR and ethical AI practices.
2. Market Validation
   • Sustainable Business Model: Strong strategy to minimize risks and scale operations.
   • Growth Phase: Established revenue streams and market demand.
   • Financial Stability: Solid financial backing for long-term growth.
3. Global Reach
   • Scalability: Ability to deploy solutions globally and adapt to different regions.
   • Collaboration: Active in strategic partnerships promoting responsible AI use in tourism.
4. Sustainability & Social Impact
   • Commitment to Sustainability: Support for environmental conservation and the SDGs.
   • Social Impact: Technologies that promote accessibility and inclusivity.
   • Impact Measurement: Systems to track the impact on sustainability and the SDGs.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

• Ease of value capture and scalability.
• Potential impact on the tourism business.
• Product or technology maturity.
• Organizational and team readiness.
• Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals.

UNWTO will announce finalists in April 2025. Selected startups will advance to the final pitch stage, followed by continuous impact monitoring.

How to Apply?

• Review Guidelines: Thoroughly read the Challenge’s terms and conditions on the official website.
• Select Category: Choose a category that aligns with your project’s objectives.
• Prepare Documents: Create a compelling English pitch deck (15 slides) and compile essential organizational information.
• Submit Application: Complete and submit the application form on the official website before the March 2025 deadline.

Apply Now

Further details and information regarding this Challenge are available on the official UNWTO website.

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