Indigenous Tourism Challenge

Indigenous Tourism Challenge

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CAF - Banco de desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe
ONU Turismo
América Latina y el Caribe
WINTA

Latin America and the Caribbean are recognized for their extraordinary ethnic and cultural richness, the result of the historical mixture of Indigenous, African, European and Asian populations. This challenge, launched by UN Tourism in collaboration with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), seeks to promote tourism ventures that promote sustainable practices that respect local cultures and environments. 

Launch & Promotion
30 January 2025
Submissions
Until 15 June 2025
Selection of Semi-Finalists
16 June to 2 July 2025
Selection of Finalists
16-27 July 2025
Announcement of Finalists
28 July 2025
Final Pitch and Announcement of Winner
9 August 2025

Projects should include activities that promote ancestral culture such as rituals and spiritual ceremonies, learning traditional knowledge, exploring historical sites and connecting with nature, in addition to strengthening the role of tourism in solving local problems and promoting sustainability.
Vertical:

  • Economic empowerment of Indigenous communities.
    Initiatives that promote the development of local capacities, offering communities the tools and knowledge necessary to manage and benefit directly from tourism in their territories.
  • Preservation and revitalization of traditions.
    Projects that support the preservation of languages and safeguarding of different cultural and artistic practices, rituals and Indigenous traditions through tourism experiences that directly involve communities in their planning, management and execution.
  • Promotion of local gastronomy. Projects that highlight and promote local culinary traditions as an integral part of the tourism experience, providing support to local producers and markets.
  • Development of indigenous tourism at the community level. Initiatives that promote community-led and managed tourism, focusing on equitable practices and respecting the autonomy of communities to define the presentation of their culture and the nature of their interaction with the tourists who visit them.

Criterion

Details

1. Generating positive impact on the community and social value
  • The project proposes activities to promote the development of both technical and interpersonal skills in Indigenous territories, supporting their personal and professional growth.
  • The project proposes activities to increase the local employability of communities that meet diversity, inclusion and gender characteristics.
  • The project proposes activities to increase the income of local families and entrepreneurs through their full participation in the project's value chain.
  • The project proposes activities to reduce the vulnerability of the territory to events caused by climate change.
2. Preservation of cultural capital
  • The project proposes activities for the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible (Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant communities).
3. Preservation
  • The project proposes activities for the preservation of ethnic cultural heritage (Indigenous peoples).
4. Generating a positive impact on the natural environment
  • The project proposes activities for the conservation of protected areas.
  • The project proposes activities for the regeneration of ecosystems and their biodiversity.
  • The project proposes activities for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, for example through activities to offset the  carbon footprint of tourists.
  • The project envisages the generation of reports on positive impact on the environment.
5. Project innovation
  • The project proposes innovative elements that seek to generate a transformative experience for tourists.
  • The project proposes innovative elements that envision competitive advantages in the proposal in the short or medium term.
  • The project proposes the incorporation of the Region Brand in the dissemination and promotion of the Project.
6. Budget viability
  • The projected budget for the use of the resources of the prize is consistent with the proposed activities.
  • Cost-efficiency analysis.
  • Direct and indirect cost analysis.
  • Risks of the proposal.

Finalists will receive mentorship, access to networks and scholarships, opportunities to present their projects at high-level events, and the possibility of receiving investments. The winner will receive a prize of USD 10,000 and support during the execution of their project. Concretely:

  • Opportunity to present their solution at the UN Tourism Tech Adventures: Indigenous Tourism
  • USD 10,000 investment offered by CAF for the winner
  • Mentorship and support from UN Tourism and top-tier partners
  • Personalized support for the company
  • Scholarship opportunities in the UN Tourism Online Academy
  • Inclusion in the UN Tourism Innovation Network through which they will have continuous support and opportunities to participate in UN Tourism projects and events.

Entrepreneurs and startups with a maximum of three years from the start date of their operations or their legal constitution and that meet the requirements below may apply.

Projects eligible for indigenous tourism must have the following characteristics adapted to their specific context:

  • Innovation and Cultural Value: Projects must be innovative and disruptive, offering solutions that provide added value to the tourism sector, respecting and promoting Indigenous cultures and additionally the incorporation of the Region Brand in the Project.
  • Integration of Appropriate Technologies: They must take advantage of new technologies and innovative solutions that are appropriate and respectful of the practices and cultural environment of Indigenous peoples, avoiding impositions that alter their traditional way of life.
  • Positive and Measurable Impact: It is essential that projects can provide specific positive impact indicators for Indigenous peoples, such as improvements in community autonomy, conservation of cultural heritage, or direct economic benefits.
  • Growth Potential and Scalability: Projects must demonstrate growth potential and the ability to be scaled or replicated in other regions or Indigenous peoples, expanding their impact without compromising cultural integrity.
  • Level of Maturity: The proposal must include a cost-efficiency analysis, with direct and indirect costs, the expected results and the risks of the proposal (unstable demand, for example).

ABOUT INNOVATION AT UN TOURISM

UN Tourism believes that innovation is the key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. in 2018, UN Tourism developed a framework for Innovation, Education, Digital Transformation and Investments To promote the digitalization of tourism, create an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem that maximizes the sector’s potential in terms of economic growth, job creation and sustainable development, and to anticipate, address and overcome new challenges and trends in the tourism sector. Over the last few years, 32 Challenges for Startups and Specific Challenges have been carried out, in addition to the organization of multiple forums, which has given rise to a solid Innovation Network composed of more than 400 startups, 500 companies, 400 public entities, 250 educational institutions, 40 incubators/accelerators and 290 investors. This collaborative network has made it possible to secure more than 2 billion dollars in financing for new companies, driving the growth of the tourism sector.

ABOUT CAF

CAF is the development bank committed to improving the quality of life of all Latin Americans and Caribbeans. Its actions promote sustainable development and regional integration. It aims to become the region’s green and blue bank as well as the bank for the economic and social revitalization of the region.

CAF offers advice and financial support to the public and private sectors of their shareholder countries. In addition, it generates knowledge to strengthen public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean and improve the quality and impact of the projects it promotes.