First Global Competition of Gstronomic Tourism Startups: Innovations for the Transformation of Gastronomic Tourism

First Global Competition of Gstronomic Tourism Startups: Innovations for the Transformation of Gastronomic Tourism

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in cooperation with the Basque Culinary Center, has announced the First Global Contest for Startups on Gastourism. UNWTO emphasizes that gastronomic tourism encourages entrepreneurial activity and the formation of new companies and organizations that influence other sectors at the transnational level.

Participants of the competition can be:

• Startups
  Both profitable and non-profit organizations
  Natural or legal persons
  Startups with MVP (the minimum viable product)
  Startups with the ability to expand the volume
  Startups with a sustainable vision of activity

The competition will take place in four stages. The final deadline for applications is March 5, 2019.

Projects must be consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and must demonstrate the implementation or adaptation of digital technology elements and focus on one (or more) of the following areas:

• Destination management or private business / product / service management related to gastronomy and gastronomic tourism.
  Supply chain optimization projects that help balance the sustainable development and profitability of the project, maximizing the positive impact on the deployment and local community.
  Communication with the market and user experience at all stages.
  Integration of sustainability principles in the business plan of the project, in particular the preservation of local products or ingredients and a balanced relationship between cultural heritage, gastronomy, tourism and the economy.

In total, 20 projects will be selected, of which the top five will receive a sponsorship tour to Spain at the UNWTO Global Gastrostory Forum on May 2-3, 2019 to present their projects to the experts’ panel. The project, which will take first place – will present its startup with a great scene to all forum participants and will hold the Basque Culinary Center for further development. Moreover, the startup winning the competition will be able to design a pilot project with the Basque Culinary Center and implement it through its network.

More details on the link: https://www.gastronomytourismventures.org/en/