For the Tourism sector to recover from the pandemic of COVID 19, the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called on innovators and entrepreneurs to put forward new solutions to help the tourism sector recover from coronavirus through the launch of a “Healing Solutions” challenge.
The “Healing Solutions” challenge is launched in collaboration with WHO, to further advance the united response of the wider United Nations system to COVID-19. This global call on entrepreneurs and innovators asks them to submit ideas that can help the tourism sector mitigate the impact of the pandemic and kick start recovery efforts. In particular, the challenge is aimed at finding ideas that can make a difference right away: for destinations, for businesses and public health efforts.
Participants should be able to demonstrate how their ideas can help tourism in its response to COVID-19. Ideas must also have been piloted and be ready to scale-up, with a business plan in place and the potential to be implemented in several countries.
According to UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili there is a need for a strong response to mitigate the impact and place tourism at the center of future recovery efforts and liaise closely with governments and the private sector to boost collaboration and international solidarity.
“Tourism is the sector that has been hit the hardest by COVID-19. Our response needs to be strong and united. We also need to embrace innovation. I call on all entrepreneurs and innovators with ideas that are developed and ready to be put into action to share them with us. In particular, we want to hear ideas that will help communities recover from this crisis, economically and socially, as well as ideas that can contribute to the public health response” he said
The competition is now live and applications close on 10 April 2020. The winners of the Healing Solutions for Tourism Challenge will be invited to pitch their ideas to representatives of more than 150 governments They will also enjoy access to the UNWTO Innovation Network, which includes hundreds of start-ups and leading businesses from across the tourism sector.
