SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 29, 2024 - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has announced a Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge, calling on startups and scale-ups to showcase innovative solutions that can transform the tourism sector. This exciting initiative seeks to harness the power of AI to enhance the travel experience, promote sustainability, and drive economic growth.
AI: The Future of Tourism
The challenge focuses on leveraging AI across various aspects of the tourism industry, including:
- Digital Transformation: Developing AI-powered solutions to improve efficiency, enhance customer service, and create new tourism experiences.
- Sustainability: Utilizing AI to optimize resource management, reduce environmental impact, and promote responsible tourism practices.
- Inclusivity: Creating AI solutions that enhance accessibility and promote diversity and inclusion in the tourism sector.
- Digital Governance: Developing AI tools that support responsible data management and ethical AI practices in tourism.
"Innovation is a key driver of the future of tourism," said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "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 highlighted the transformative potential of AI, stating, "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."
Challenge Details and Eligibility
The Global AI Challenge is open to individuals, teams, and companies worldwide. Participants are encouraged to submit proposals that address key areas such as:
- Branding and Marketing: Using AI to enhance destination marketing and create personalized travel experiences.
- Smart Destinations and Deep Technologies: Developing AI-powered solutions for smart destinations, including intelligent transportation systems, crowd management, and resource optimization.
- Scalable Education Solutions: Creating AI tools to improve tourism education and training programs.
- Efficiency in Operations: Utilizing AI to streamline tourism operations, enhance customer service, and optimize resource allocation.
Support and Recognition for Winners
Winners of the Global AI Challenge will receive:
- Incubation and Mentorship: A two-month incubation program at the SPARK innovation sphere, providing access to industry experts and mentorship from leaders in digital innovation.
- Global Exposure: Opportunities to showcase their projects at international tourism events and conferences.
- Networking and Investment: Access to an extensive network of tourism professionals and potential investors.
How to Participate
Interested participants can find more information and submit their applications through the official Challenge website. The deadline for applications is March 31st, 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.
UN Tourism's Commitment to Innovation
The Global AI Challenge is part of UN Tourism's ongoing efforts to promote innovation and digital transformation in the tourism sector. Since 2018, UN Tourism has launched 32 startup innovation challenges and competitions, engaging over 20,000 participants and mapping nearly 400 top startups.
Through these initiatives, UN Tourism aims to harness the power of technology to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism industry that contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).