UN Tourism 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge for Start-ups and Scale-ups: An Unmissable Opportunity
The tourism sector is undergoing an unprecedented digital transformation, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The United Nations Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) recognises this potential and, in 2025, is launching an ambitious global challenge for start-ups and scale-ups: the "UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge". This article explores the importance of this challenge, the opportunities it offers and how Portuguese companies can participate and thrive.
The AI Revolution in Tourism: An Overview
AI is reshaping the tourism industry at every level, from customer experience to destination management. Companies that adopt and implement AI solutions are gaining significant competitive advantages. Let's look at a few examples:
- Personalising the Customer Experience: Chatbots and virtual assistants provide 24/7 support, personalising travel and activity recommendations based on individual preferences.
- Price and revenue optimisation: AI algorithms analyse market data in real time to adjust prices for flights, hotels and tour packages, maximising revenue.
- Improved operational efficiency: AI automates administrative tasks such as reservations, check-in and baggage management, freeing up resources for other areas.
- Data Analysis and Trend Forecasting: AI processes large volumes of data to identify market trends, predict demand and optimise marketing strategies.
According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global AI market in tourism is expected to reach 20.5 billion dollars by 2027, demonstrating the enormous growth potential in this sector. Portugal, with its growing reputation as a tourist destination of excellence and a vibrant technological ecosystem, is well placed to capitalise on this trend.
The UN's Global Tourism Challenge: Opportunities for Portuguese Companies
The "UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge Tourism 2025" is a platform for start-ups and scale-ups from all over the world to present their innovative solutions and compete for recognition and financial support. For Portuguese companies, this is a unique opportunity to:
- Increase Global Visibility: The challenge is attracting the attention of UN Tourism, investors, strategic partners and the international media.
- Access Funding and Support: Winners can receive funding, mentoring and access to a global network of contacts.
- Validate Your Solutions: The challenge offers a platform to test and validate AI solutions in real scenarios in the tourism sector.
- Collaborate with Industry Leaders: Participating companies have the opportunity to interact with industry leaders, AI experts and policymakers.
The challenge will probably focus on areas such as:
- Sustainability: AI solutions that promote sustainable tourism and reduce environmental impact.
- Accessibility: Technologies that make tourism more accessible to people with disabilities.
- Customer Experience: Solutions that improve the customer experience, from search to stay.
- Destination Management: AI tools to optimise the management of tourist destinations, including crowd management and security.
Case Studies: Examples of AI Success in Tourism
To illustrate the potential of AI in tourism, let's look at some examples of success:
- Duolingo: Although not directly a tourism company, Duolingo uses AI to personalise language teaching, making it easier for tourists to communicate in different countries.
- Booking.com: Booking.com uses AI to personalise hotel and destination recommendations, increasing bookings and customer satisfaction.
- Amadeus: Amadeus, a leading technology company for the travel industry, uses AI to optimise flight management, prices and bookings.
These examples demonstrate how AI can be applied in various areas of tourism, generating value for companies and improving the customer experience.
How Portuguese Start-ups and Scale-ups Can Participate
To take part in the "UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge Tourism 2025", Portuguese companies must:
- Monitor the official UN Tourism Channels: Keep an eye out for announcements and application deadlines on the official UN Tourism website and its social networks.
- Prepare a solid proposal: Develop a clear and concise proposal that highlights the AI solution, its impact on the tourism sector and its potential for scalability.
- Demonstrate Innovation: Present an innovative and differentiating solution that solves a real problem in the tourism sector.
- Emphasising sustainability: Emphasise how the solution contributes to more sustainable and responsible tourism.
- Building a network of contacts: Connect with other participants, mentors and investors to increase the chances of success.
Conclusion: The Time to Act is Now
The "UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge Tourism 2025" represents a unique opportunity for Portuguese start-ups and scale-ups to showcase their potential and drive innovation in the tourism sector. AI is transforming the industry, and companies that embrace this technology will be best placed to thrive in the future. Portuguese companies with innovative solutions and a strong focus on sustainability should seize this opportunity to stand out on the global stage. Participating in this challenge can open doors to funding,
Take part in the UN Tourism 2025 Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge for Start-ups and Scale-ups! Apply now and showcase your innovative solutions for the future of tourism.
[Sign up here](https://www.unwto.org/fr/challenges/artificial-intelligence-challenge)
Deadline: 31-3-2025
