UN Tourism and France Team Up to Drive Travel Tech Innovation
The world of tourism is about to get a major boost of innovation. In an unprecedented move, the UN Tourism Organization has joined forces with the French government to launch the UN Tourism National Open Innovation Challenge. This exciting initiative marks the first-ever collaboration between these two entities, and it’s designed to cultivate a fertile ground for entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge ideas within the travel industry.
France, already recognized as a global tourism powerhouse with a record-breaking 100 million international visitors in 2023, is also known for its robust innovation landscape. Home to a thriving ecosystem of over 60,000 startups and more than 30 unicorns, France stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial and technological advancement.
A New Era for Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
Marina Ferrari, the Delegated Minister for Tourism Economy of France, enthusiastically declared, “As the world’s leading tourist destination and a land of innovation with a dynamic ecosystem of start-ups, France is now giving itself the resources it needs to nurture the future champions of travel tech. This is good news for the tourism economy, but it’s also good news for the planet. It’s in our start-ups that the solutions for building a more sustainable, more responsible tourism and for decarbonizing the entire sector are being born. I am delighted that they can now benefit from the recognition and support of UN Tourism, which will enable them to become more international and share their best practices.”
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili echoed this sentiment, stating, “As the world’s top tourism destination, France is at the forefront of innovation. Our new competition will help find and recognize the next wave of tourism innovators and give them the support they need to truly transform our sector.”
Building on a Foundation of Success
Natalia Bayona, UN Tourism Executive Director, commended the impressive “Welcome to France” and “French Tech” initiatives, which have already played a significant role in nurturing and guiding successful startups. These programs, with their reach extending to nearly 25,000 startups and representing over 1.1 million direct and indirect jobs, serve as exemplary models for other nations.
A Platform for Collaboration and Growth
The UN Tourism National Open Innovation Challenge invites collaboration between French startups and major companies from the tourism sector, both French and international. These partnerships are tasked with developing innovative solutions focused on travel tech or cutting-edge tourism strategies. Eligible startups must possess a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a prototype, or a scalable solution. Partnering companies are expected to provide the necessary resources, mentorship, and support to foster implementation and expansion.
This exciting initiative promises to be a game-changer for the tourism industry, nurturing groundbreaking innovations and creating a more sustainable and responsible future for travel.