UN Tourism and France recognize tourism-tech start-ups and major companies driving efficiency and resilience

The French Open Innovation Challenge, a national initiative launched in partnership with the Directorate of Entrepreneurship of the French Ministry of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power, mobilized innovators from across all regions of the country’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

UN Tourism & France Partnership:
UN Tourism collaborated with the French Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism, and Purchasing Power to launch the French Open Innovation Challenge.

Focus:
The initiative spotlighted tourism-tech start-ups and their collaborations with major companies to drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in tourism.

Finalists & Winners:
- Karacal & Renault → Won the Efficiency Through Technology category with geolocated audio “bubbles” that deliver immersive, location-based cultural storytelling.
- Aquatech & Veolia → Won the Better – Enhancing Tourism Services category with a modular green-technology system for wastewater collection, treatment, recycling, and monitoring in tourist areas.

Impact:
- Over 20,000 participants have engaged in UN Tourism’s innovation challenges.
- More than USD 2 billion in funding has been directed to support growth of the best solutions.
- France, with 25,000+ start-ups, is recognized as a leading hub for tourism innovation.

Recognition & Support:
Finalist start-ups received scholarships from the UN Tourism Online Academy, membership in the Global Innovation Network, and opportunities for internationalization and investment.

Statements
- Natalia Bayona (Executive Director, UN Tourism):
Highlighted France’s extraordinary innovation ecosystem and the importance of public-private collaboration.

- Zoritsa Urosevic (Executive Director, UN Tourism):
Emphasized sustainable solutions and France’s role as the world’s #1 tourism destination with 100M+ arrivals.

- Serge Papin (Minister of SMEs, France):
Congratulated winners, stressing that innovation is now a driving force in structuring the tourism industry.