UNWTO and Infecar Announce Startup Competition for New Business Models and Technologies and Solutions in Hotels

Infecar (Feria de Gran Canaria) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are collaborating to identify entrepreneurs who are instrumental in transforming the hotel and innovative business model landscapes.

Any startup or entrepreneur worldwide is eligible to enter the UNWTO Startup Competition for Tourism Technologies and Solutions in Hotels and New Business Models. Ten finalists will receive awards based on their outstanding solutions in the Innovations in Digital Hospitality and Business Models and Sustainability Impact categories.

In the hospitality sector, innovation and technology are redefining the fundamentals of the visitor experience and turning hotels into centers of streamlined, customized services. In contrast to his competitors, we are searching the world for startups that are creating ground-breaking solutions that raise the bar for new revenue models, operational effectiveness, and guest happiness in hotels. Ms. Natalia Bayona, the World Tourism Organization’s executive director (UNWTO).

 company are committed to promoting sustainability and innovation in this important business, which is why we are hosting the UNWTO Startup Competition at Infecar for the second year running, with a special focus on technologies and solutions in tourism for hotels. Ms. Natalia Santana, Feria de Gran Canaria’s Director General at Infecar.

On February 20, 2024, in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, the finalists will present their ideas at the Tourism Tech Adventures Canarias. After that, they will receive mentorships from foreign partners. The winning entrepreneurs will have access to customized support, possibilities for project implementation, scholarship opportunities from the Tourism Online Academy, and membership in the UNWTO Innovation Network, which gives them access to venture finance and the private sector.

Regarding the UNWTO Startup Contests

The UNWTO has created 14 international entrepreneurship competitions (dubbed “UNWTO Tourism Startup Competitions”) and 11 special challenges through its Department of Innovation, Education, and Investments. These efforts have led to the creation of an Innovation Network with over 7000 members. The tourist industry undergoes a revolution thanks to the UNWTO startup competitions, which push it to new heights of intelligence, sustainability, and creativity. The competition aims to find and assist innovative firms that have the potential to change the industry.

About Infecar:

Located in Gran Canaria, Spain, Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria, is a well-known conference and exhibition venue. Through events and projects, it actively supports innovation and collaboration across multiple industries, all with the goal of boosting economic growth.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): An Overview

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized organization of the United Nations that promotes tourism as a means of achieving sustainable, equitable, and inclusive development. The UNWTO works to ensure that everyone may travel safely and easily by collaborating with its member states, international organizations, and the private sector. The UNWTO also strives to establish tourism as the cornerstone of global cooperation and trust as well as a key component of economic recovery. As a component of the larger UN organization, UNWTO leads international efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, among other things by fostering equality, preserving the environment, and protecting cultural and natural assets.