How the UN Tourism Global AI Challenge is shaping the future of travel
Picture this: a single app that books your flights and bach stay, helps local artists sell their taonga and gives small tour operators the smarts to market themselves better, all powered by AI. That might sound like a bit of pipe dream, but the UN Tourism Global AI Challenge is helping make it real.
Launched to spark a sustainable revival in tourism, the competition invites innovators from every corner of the globe to put forward AI solutions in four key areas: personalising experiences, boosting operational efficiency, sparking brand promotion and creating smart destinations. It could be an algorithm that pairs travellers with eco-minded homestays, a chatbot that lends a hand during peak season, or a data engine that forecasts foot traffic at heritage sites. The end goal is simple, we want ideas that benefit whānau, communities, the planet and prosperity, without turning every trip into a sci-fi saga.
Judges look for creativity, practicality and real-world impact, all aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Shortlisted teams get one-on-one mentoring, meet more than 90 VCs for potential funding and earn an invite to the UN Tourism Demo Day. Winners score two months at SPARK, Les Roches’ innovation hub, plus VIP access to the Silicon Valley Summit.
Why should we care? First, it levels the playing field, so mum-and-dad operators aren’t left eating the dust as big chains roll out new toys. Second, it builds a pipeline of AI tools tailored to tourism’s quirks, such as seamless translation, real-time accessibility updates and more. And finally, it keeps ethical AI front and centre, shining a light on tech that respects privacy and local culture rather than bulldozing it.
At Voyager we’re all about that community-first spirit. Our mission is to give regional operators, whether a family-run lodge in Marlborough, an iwi-owned cultural tour or a local guide leading eco walks, the data insights they need to punch above their weight. By working with innovators and tapping into data, we hope every journey is both kind to the planet and genuinely memorable.
There’s a delightful irony in using futuristic tech to protect tradition, but the Global AI Challenge proves that heritage and hi-tech can go hand in hand. Remember that cosy bach you stumbled upon last summer? Soon it might reach guests through a content tool that tells its story in te reo and English complete with local tips and tunes.
Applications for the next round close in March 2026, so if you’ve got a prototype or even a scribble on a serviette, now’s the time to give it a crack. Head to the UN Tourism website for eligibility, submission details and plenty of inspiring examples of AI’s travel potential. Who knows, perhaps the best adventures start with a clever bit of code.
