The Diplomat
The Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge will support projects that are leveraging digital technologies to enhance tourism, promote sustainability, and drive economic growth.
Participants are encouraged to address digital transformation, sustainability, inclusivity, and digital governance across key areas, including branding and marketing; smart destinations and deep technologies; scalable education solutions; and efficiency in operations. Through these categories, the initiative seeks to foster innovation that elevates destination appeal, optimizes resource management, and creates intelligent, impactful tourism experiences.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Innovation is a key driver of the future of tourism. This Challenge is a unique opportunity for creative minds to contribute to the sustainable and inclusive growth of the tourism sector. We are excited to see the innovative solutions that will emerge from this global initiative.”
UN Tourism Executive Director, Natalia Bayona, adds: “AI is projected to add $15.7 to $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with generative AI alone adding $2.6 to $4.4 trillion annually. This is transformative power—AI is the future of tourism. The future of tourism is here, and it is intelligent, efficient, and sustainable”.
The challenge counts on the support of major partners, including; SPARK, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, as well as Unicoin, the official cryptocurrency of Unicorn Hunters and Amadeus and its Venture Capital for technology companies.
The Challenge is open to individuals, teams, and companies from across the globe. Applicants must submit a detailed proposal outlining their innovative solution, its potential impact on the tourism sector, and a plan for implementation. Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, and scalability. Candidates can apply until 31 March of 2025. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their pitches at the UN Tourism Demo Day: the UN Tourism Tech Adventures, by the end of 2025.
Winners will gain support to develop and implement their projects, receiving guidance from industry experts and leaders in digital innovation via a two-month incubation at the SPARK innovation sphere. In addition, they will have opportunities to showcase their projects at international tourism events and conferences, enhancing their global visibility, and gain access to an extensive network of tourism professionals and potential investors.
Participants interested in the challenge can find more information, explore additional benefits, and submit their applications through the official Challenge website.
Since 2018, UN Tourism has launched 32 startup innovation Challenges and Competitions, covering over 150 countries around the world. With over 20,000 participants and almost 400 top startups mapped with USD 2+ billion in funding, UN Tourism continues its efforts to support digitalization and innovation to advance the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tourism is a tool for positive transformation and inclusive economic development.
