Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 16 March 2023 – UNWTO has launched a new Startup
Competition to support women tourism tech entrepreneurs and innovators across the
Middle East.
Announced at Biban 2023, Saudi Arabia’s largest SME conference, the Women in
Tech Startup Competition: Middle East, will further advance UNWTO’s work to make
tourism a pillar of women’s empowerment. The initiative gives innovators the chance
to compete for enhanced capacity building and visibility. Finalists in each category will
join the UNWTO Innovation Network, giving them access to the UNWTO Member States
network, mentorship programs and to UNWTO scholarship opportunities.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, says: “Tourism startups have the
power and agility to transform the sector in line with the Sustainable Development
Goals. Tourism startups are also leading the way in advancing women empowerment,
in the Middle East and globally, and UNWTO is delighted to support the region’s best
innovators and digital entrepreneurs.”
Who can apply?
- Startups must be led, owned or managed by women residing in any of the following
countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait,
Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.
- Idea Stage, Early Stage or Series A startups with a minimum viable product or idea
that is ready to be developed and funded.
- Have a full-time team, a tested pilot and business plan.
- Be scalable with potential for international growth.
NEWS
RELEASE
WORLD
TOURISM
ORGANIZATION
MADRID, 16 MAR 2023WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO) – A SPECIALIZED AGENCY OF THE UNITED NATIONS
C/ POETA JOAN MARAGALL 42, 28020 MADRID, SPAIN. TEL: (34) 91 567 81 00 / FAX: (34) 91 571 37 33 – INFO@UNWTO.ORG / UNWTO.ORG
Startups must also belong to at least one of the following categories:
- Social Impact: For startups that focus on technology in wellness, health, urban
development, rural development, sustainability, and education with cross-cutting
benefits with tourism.
- Tourism and Travel Experience: Startups focusing on the food and beverage,
transportation and accommodation, travel, and retail industries to participate.
- Future Tech: Startups that leverage fintech, AI, AR/VR, cryptocurrency, Internet of
Things, blockchain technology, digital twinning and the Metaverse.
- Events and Community: Startups focused on social and messaging platforms,
e-sports and gaming platforms, community-based applications, events-related
platforms, and education technology.
Applications close at the end of July 2023 and the winners will be announced at the
Tourism Tech Adventure (TTA), to be held on World Tourism Day (27 September Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia).
Startups can apply at: UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East
UNWTO and Innovation
Since 2018, UNWTO’s IEI department has launched more than 21 startup competitions
and innovation challenges, covering over 150 countries around the world. With over
10,000 participants and more than US$214 million in funding, UNWTO continues its
efforts to support digitalization and innovation in line with the global entrepreneurship
ecosystem. Tourism has the opportunity to improve inclusiveness, local community
development, and resource efficiency by leveraging innovation and digital advancements.
For more information, please contact:
Rosalia Galan – Communications Expert
IEI – UNWTO Regional Office Middle East
rgalan@unwto.org | +966 555908142
Lara Kabbara – Communications
IEI – UNWTO Regional Office Middle East
lkabbara@unwto.org | +966 508887969
Related links:
Innovation, Education and Investments
UNWTO Tourism Startup Competitions
