UN Tourism’s latest initiative supports women-led startups in the Middle East that combine sustainable tourism and innovative technology to drive regional development and strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in the sector. Masu.
The United Nations Tourism Office has launched its second Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East. The initiative aims to highlight and support women entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of sustainable tourism and technology across the region.
Now accepting applications
This competition is open to female-led startups based in the Middle East. Businesses must operate within the tourism sector and related industries to deliver sustainable solutions for people, planet and prosperity. It also needs to be an entrepreneurial project in the early stages of its journey, idea stage, or Series A stage. Applications are accepted in the following three categories.
People and Skills: In this category, we are looking for startups with an environmental and sustainable approach in education technology, social connectivity, wellness or health, with cross-cutting benefits to tourism. Green Travel Solutions: For startups that take an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach in green technology, green infrastructure, travel and logistics, urban or rural development and bring cross-cutting benefits with tourism. Market Innovators: For startups working on new technologies applied to tourism.
UN Tourism welcomed key global and regional partners and ecosystem collaborators to support the winning startups. Almosafer, Plug and Play, AIM, The Bench, Impulse4Women, and Bilakatu provide visibility, tutoring, consulting, and access to potential investment in the best entrepreneurial solutions. This year’s applications will be processed through the world’s largest plug-and-play open innovation platform, and finalists will also be invited to join the global United Nations Tourism Innovation Network.
The launch was made during a special session of the United Nations Tourism Investment Forum on “Investing in Innovation and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs” at the AIM Conference, a leading investment platform, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Announced.
The second edition follows on from the success of the first, with more than 140 startups and small businesses from 11 countries applying. The four winners, Fausha (Egypt), Sparkle Haze (UAE), Plustas Biotech (Saudi Arabia) and Zenios Academy (UAE), were presented during the World Tourism Day celebrations in Riyadh on September 27 last year. It was announced on .
United Nations Tourism and Women’s Empowerment
The United Nations Tourism Office is committed to promoting the positive impact of tourism on women’s lives, thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. The organization actively supports women entrepreneurs and has worked to advance the tourism sector and promote inclusivity.
Natalia Bayona, United Nations Tourism Secretary-General, said: “It is important to equip women entrepreneurs in the Middle East with innovative business proposals that have a positive social impact and environmental friendliness, supporting the sustainable development of the region’s growing tourism sector.” ”
United Nations Tourism and Innovation
Since 2018, UN Tourism has launched more than 25 startup competitions and innovation challenges covering more than 150 countries around the world. With over 350 top startups with over 20,000 participants and over USD 2 billion in funding, UN Tourism supports digitalization and innovation to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) We are continuing our efforts to do so. Tourism is a tool for positive transformation and inclusive economic development.
Theodore is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the TravelDailyNews media network. His responsibilities include business development and long-term opportunity planning for TravelDailyNews.
