Smart Solutions for Smart Destinations Challenge

The World Tourism Organization together with Athletic Club of Bilbao and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia have launched the Smart Solutions for Smart Destinations Challenge to drive innovation and promote entrepreneurship in tourism.

This new challenge is designed for startups with innovative and intelligent ideas to maximize the visitor experience in stadiums or at events. All solutions must facilitate the entire tourist experience, including before and after an event not just during it.

In particular, the competition is looking for ideas whose benefits will be felt throughout the wider Bizkaia region, complementing the work of Athletic Club.

The winning startups will be given the chance to work alongside Athletic Club for six months to develop a pilot project.

Africa branding Challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill, and tourism has been the worst affected of all major economic sectors. The impact on Africa might have been delayed, but the continent will also be severely affected, both economically and socially.

Against a backdrop of heightened uncertainty, tourism’s proven resilience and its dynamic nature need to be harnessed to support livelihoods. At the same time, strong destination branding will help boost confidence in travel, while also promoting new experiences and new destinations across Africa.

The UNWTO Inspiring Africa - Branding Challenge invites applications from the marketing and branding sector to present proposals for a campaign that positions Africa as a top destination in the minds of global consumers.

Beyond COVID-19, the campaign aims to create a positive image of Africa as a tourism destination. As well as supporting the unique campaigns of both countries and businesses, the winning idea will also succeed in telling the many positive stories coming out of Africa and making tourism a key driver of sustainable development across the continent. A creative concept, sample communication materials and a clear focus on innovation are among the top criteria the judges are looking for in proposals.

The deadline for applications has been extended to 7 September.