The third competition of food tourism startups
According to Aria Heritage, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) has launched the third World Tourism and Food Startup Competition in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center in Spain, following success at previous festivals. The mission of this organization is to identify challenges and projects and accelerate the use of innovations that can transform the food tourism sector (Gastronomy Tourism) in the near future. Tourism is a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as well as an effective area in promoting social welfare with the aim of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
During the continuous growth of tourism in the last decade, this sector has taken one of the 10 jobs created in the market and constitutes 10.2% of the world GDP. At the intersection of the tourism sector with the food sector, food tourism is organized around experience-driven trips and is considered as part of the moral and enduring values of destination, heritage, local culture, local products, originality, tradition and culinary techniques.
The impact of food tourism on travel and the growing demand for food tourism has led to many opportunities for development in this area, which is attracting increasing attention from governments. Food tourism has become one of the most dynamic and creative sectors of tourism and at the same time has introduced itself as a factor in creating diversity in tourism and influencing the promotion of sustainable development at the local level.
Food tourism encourages new entrepreneurs, companies and organizations to influence other active industries and value important issues; Including:
● Sustainability based on maintaining a balance between economic growth and food culture and heritage
● The quality of initiatives in the production and use of experience throughout the tourism chain
قوی Strong communication and cohesive collaboration in submitting proposals with the participation of all stakeholders, from chefs to the media
● Cooperation between all actors in the value chain of the food and tourism sector
● Sectoral authenticity with emphasis on cultural heritage, local products and cultural values
● Food tourism is in itself a stimulus for creativity, innovation and sustainable growth; Where startups with avant-garde and open perspectives can propose new scenarios that have a positive impact on different sectors. This enables them to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Competition goals
To compete in this startup, three issues are important:
New technologies:
Start-ups that are developing and promoting a program with new and high-level technologies to provide new solutions and services related to the food tourism sector;
Local impact:
Start-ups that are developing projects with the ability to create transformation and social improvement in its implementation and are connected to the food tourism sector;
Stability and reduction of food waste:
Start-ups that are developing and promoting high-performance projects of sustainability, food waste management, and tourist impacts.
Advantages of participating in the competition
The benefits of participating in this startup have been announced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which include:
Provided guidance by UNWTO and top partners
Having the right support for your startup
Creating investment opportunities
Join the UNWTO Innovation Network
Obtaining a scholarship for an online tourism academy
Opportunity to present your startup at the 7th Tourism Forum in Nara, Japan
Using LABe-Digital Gastronomy For 6 months as a finalist, you will participate in the Culinary Action version and you will participate in the first foodtech startup competition in the form of a road program.
Participate in the advanced GOe digital community plan for 6 months
Terms of participation in the competition
To be accepted in this program, special criteria have been considered by UNWTO and its trading partners:
Innovation: Using controversial innovations and displaying them globally
Social impact of startups: Focusing on meeting social needs in different areas, to strengthen the employment of young people and vulnerable people, the need for gender equality in jobs and compliance with tangible indicators in this area is necessary.
Attraction: The capacity to change the local environment and the ability to make a difference in society, improve the social conditions of stakeholders and promote their knowledge and understanding of society.
Successful testing: Having tested samples and providing people experience from your program
Ease of raising capital through cooperation with startups: short-term implementation to develop products, services, optimize resource use, strengthen existing infrastructure and the ability to scale the product with the expectations of the target community.
Committed team: the presence of a team with sufficient knowledge of the field of action; Positive evaluation from a public or private organization regarding the implementation of the project.
Adherence to Sustainable Development Goals: Apply the rules and principles of sustainable development.
Competition Calendar
The third competition of food tourism start-ups has started from November 1, equal to 10 Aban 1400, and those who are interested have the opportunity to submit their application to participate in these competitions until February 28, 2022, equal to 9 Esfand 1400. From April 1, 2022, equivalent to April 12, 1401, the startups that have made their way to the online platform will be announced and the final winners of the competition will be announced in May 2020.
To submit your application to participate in this competition, after logging in to your Google account, enter this link and fill out the relevant form.
* Translation: Anahita Rashidi
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