Digital transformation is key, an essential message communicated during the World Tourism Day 2018 that took place in Budapest, on September 27.  The event examined how investment in new technology provides the sector with opportunities for innovation.

Also key among the conference conclusions was that political support is central to putting tourism at the centre of the global innovation and digital agenda.

During the official celebration, the 20 semi-finalists of the first UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition gave pitches to investors and tourism leaders of their innovative projects with potential to disrupt the sector. They were selected from over 3000 applicants from 132 countries. The competition was launched by UNWTO and Spanish tourism leader Globalia to find projects that harness innovation and can change the way we travel.

“UNWTO is proud to have positioned, for the first time, tourism in the global innovation agenda – where it deserves to be because of its economic weight and importance. This is only possible by bringing the private and public sectors together in a meaningful way, and providing opportunities to share ideas, like we have done today”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili to conclude the event.