In the face of an unprecedented challenge, the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls on innovators and entrepreneurs to put forward new solutions to help the tourism sector recover from COVID-19.

The ‘Healing Solutions’ challenge is launched in collaboration with WHO, further advancing the united response of the wider UN system to COVID-19. This global call for entrepreneurs and innovators asks them to submit ideas that can help the tourism sector mitigate the impact of the pandemic and kickstart recovery efforts.

In particular, the challenge is aimed at finding ideas that can make a difference right away: for destinations, for businesses and for 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.

“Help communities recover.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general of UNWTO said: “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.”

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.