UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge announces seven global winners

The Sommet Education Foundation and Les Roches have announced the seven winners of the UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge. Launched in September 2025, the competition received 866 applications from 109 countries, with nearly half of the submissions originating from Africa.

The winners were selected across three categories designed to advance sustainable and inclusive tourism:

Community Tourism: Lore (China) uses artificial intelligence to preserve traditional knowledge; Local Narratives (India) connects travelers with rural communities; and Ecodigital (Tanzania) integrates digital innovation with community knowledge for ecosystem restoration.

Green Projects: Okumkom Biodigital Investment (Ghana) converts organic waste from hospitality businesses into proteins and fertilizers, while Bio Fábrica de Corais (Brazil) focuses on coral restoration.

Accessibility and Inclusion: The Portuguese startup Your Accessible Flight was recognized for using AI to assist travelers with disabilities in navigating air travel, providing digital tools for airlines and airports.