For the second straight year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) organized the world’s largest startup competition in tourism. Launched in 2018, this initiative works to identify and reward the new companies that will lead to the transformation of the global tourism sector within the framework of innovation and sustainability.
The UNWTO, in association with Turismo de Portugal and Globalia (leading tourism group in Spain and Latin America), announced the winners of the 2nd Tourism Startup Competition.
The final event happened on eve of FITUR, Spain’s biggest and most important tourism trade fair. The event was attended by UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Javier Hidalgo, CEO of Globalia and Luís Araújo, president of Tourism of Portugal.
“This competition shows how much talent is out there, in countries large and small. And while the ideas may be very different, they all have one goal in common: making tourism smarter, better, and ensuring it contributes to sustainable development”, said Mr. Pololikashvili announcing the winners.
In all, the UNWTO awarded eight prizes, each for a different category.
Turismo de Portugal awarded the Innovative Solutions in Tourism award to HiJiffy (Portugal). HiJiffy centralizes, automates and measures all hotel customer service activities.
The Special Recognition in Sustainability prize, supported by UNWTO and Globalia has gone to Live Electric Tours (Portugal). This company offers tours in 100% electric vehicles.
Luís Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, added: “Innovation is a major force for growth and sustainability, providing the ingredients for a long-term success in the tourism sector. The UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition’s finalists applications highlight the most innovative solutions to the future of the tourism sector. This provides a great opportunity to establish international contacts and to push innovation to the next level.”
In its first two editions, the UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition has received proposals from almost 5,000 startups.
Source: UNWTO, PUBLITURIS
