UNWTO names winners for Innovation in Tourism awards

Turismo de Portugal I.P (Portugal), Ecotourism Trust (India), Tryponyu (Indonesia) and Seggitur (Spain) are the winners of the 14th edition of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Awards for Innovation in Tourism.

Fourteen projects from 128 applicants across 55 countries were selected as finalists of the 14th UNWTO Awards for Innovation in Tourism.  The winning projects, divided into four categories (Public Policy and Governance, Research and Technology, Enterprises, and Non-governmental Organisations) were announced at the UNWTO Awards Ceremony, held on 17 January at the International Tourism Trade Fair (Ifema|Fitur) in Madrid, Spain.

“We honour the vision and commitment of individuals, administrations, companies and organisations that every day build a better future by harnessing the potential of tourism. The work of all the finalists of the 14th UNWTO Awards on Innovation is an inspiration to all of us,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili in his opening remarks.

Attended by nearly 500 participants from different countries, the UNWTO Awards Ceremony, co-organised by Ifema|Fitur, emphasised how the tourism community has embraced sustainable and innovative approaches.

The UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism are held annually to highlight and promote the work of organisations and individuals around the world that have impacted the tourism sector. Their achievements have served as an inspiration for competitive and sustainable tourism development and the promotion of the values of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 14th UNWTO Awards were organised in collaboration with the International Tourism Trade Fair in Spain (Ifema|Fitur) and supported by: Macao Government Tourism Office, National Secretariat of Tourism of Paraguay-Itaipu Binacional, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Argentina, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Colombia, The Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, Wonderful Indonesia, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and National Geographic.