Tourexpi
Telefónica and UNWTO to promote digital, sustainable and inclusive tourism
Telefónica
and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have followed through
on their commitment to cooperate by signing a new collaboration framework,
valid until 2026, with the aim of promoting tourism development that is more
digital, sustainable and inclusive.
The
United Nations’ specialized agency for tourism and Telefónica will continue to
work together at the global level and will focus on three strategic axes of
digital transformation: nurturing global and regional innovation and
entrepreneurship ecosystems; boosting technological adoption in tourism; and
promoting capacity building for a more digital, sustainable and competitive
tourism sector that leaves no one behind.
New
projects, new scopes
In
this regard, Telefónica Tech, the telecom operator's strategic digital business
unit, and the UNWTO will promote the 'Digital Futures' programme, which seeks
to accelerate the tourism sector’s economic recovery by scaling up small and
medium-sized enterprises with the incorporation of new technologies such as big
data, IoT, AI, blockchain, cybersecurity and cloud-based solutions. These
digital tools have the ability to transform companies and make them more
competitive, sustainable and resilient, as they help them make better business
decisions based on exhaustively analysed data. Such technologies also allow
them to offer more personalized and competitive products and services, optimize
resources, and increase the profitability of the tourism sector.
As
part of an effort to identify disruptive projects that help enhance the
sustainability of the sector, Wayra Hispam, Telefónica’s open innovation area
that connects the entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world, is collaborating
in the development of the World Tourism Organization’s Community Tourism
Innovation Challenge in Colombia, with the support of the Vice-Ministry of
Tourism of Colombia. Its mentoring support generates connections with the
business and venture capital ecosystem, which is essential for all
entrepreneurs who are working to offer innovative solutions and promote
development, taking into account local communities as well as natural and
cultural heritage.
Furthermore,
training processes (reskilling and upskilling) will be addressed so that
employees can develop and take advantage of all the potential that
digitalization brings to an industry that is so important to the economy of
many countries.
To
this end, training cycles will be carried out on the application of
technologies to tourism. These will be offered by reference stakeholders that
aim to help those who are beginning to take their first steps or wish to evolve
their projects. For their part, Telefónica and UNWTO will collaborate in
learning initiatives through accessible content as the Tourism,
Gastronomy and Hospitality 4.0 Nanodegree developed by Fundación
Telefónica and CEOE through the UNWTO Digital Futures programme, focused on
accelerating the economic recovery of the tourism sector through the growth of
innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Image
Credit: © UNWTO
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