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Innovation Challenge

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Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform designed to empower innovative African youth in the travel and tourism sector. It provides opportunities for funding, mentorship, partnerships, and global exposure,
enabling participants to present their groundbreaking projects to an international audience and secure the necessary support to bring their ideas to life.

click to enter competition

Eligibility

The initiative is inclusive and welcomes participants regardless of gender, race, or physical ability.

The challenge is open to individuals (youth aged 18-35 years and postgraduate students of all ages globally), partnerships, or corporations innovating within the
tourism sector.

entry guidelines

To participate, entrants must adhere to the following criteria to avoid disqualification:

  1. Project Vision and Uniqueness: Clearly outline your project’s vision, its originality,
    and authenticity. Explain the rationale behind your innovation.
  2. Evidence of Innovation: Demonstrate how your project addresses a challenge in travel and tourism or a related sector in Africa. Examples include technological
    advancements, social entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, job creation, environmental sustainability, and community development.
  3. Sustainability and Impact: Highlight how your project delivers long-term benefits
    to the tourism industry, local communities, or related sectors.
  4. Timeline: Provide a clear timeline for project implementation.
  5. Support Needed: Specify the type of support required, such as funding,
    mentorship, investment, or partnerships.
  6. Additional Information: Submit relevant supporting details in under 500 words.
  7. Demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Prepare a 5-minute presentation to showcase your MVP during the competition.

NB: Only one entry is allowed per participant.

Selection Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on the following aspects:

  1. Originality: The idea must be unique and not replicate existing solutions. It can reinterpret an existing concept with a novel application.
  2. Sustainability: Clearly define the long-term environmental, social, and economic
    impact of the project.
  3. Significance: Address critical issues in the tourism industry while aligning with the Challenge’s objective of improving tourism services, systems, and engagement.
  4. Applicability and Transferability: Demonstrate how the project can inspire and be adapted by others in the tourism industry.
  5. Practicality: Present actionable steps, well-defined objectives, and a clear execution plan.
  6. Impact: Illustrate the potential for transformational change in the tourism sector, organizational culture, or community development.

competition timelines

  1. Challenge Opens: 10th December 2024
  2. Closing Date: 28th February 2025
  3. Top 20 Shortlist Announced: 14th March 2025
  4. Bootcamp: 31st March – 4th April 2025
  5. Resubmission Deadline: 11th April 2025
  6. Final Judging: 18th April 2025
  7. Pitch Battle: 8th May 2025
  8. Top 5 Announced: 8th May 2025

Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit: 10 – 13 June 2025, Nairobi, Kenya

Winners Revealed: Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2025 (dates to
be announced)

Prizes and Benefits

Awards

Winner:

  • USD1000 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

1st Runner Up:

  • USD500 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

2nd Runner Up:

  • USD500 worth of prizes
  • Inclusive of the benefits below:
  1. Complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UN Tourism.
  2. Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities.
  3. Opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism
    Mentors and Innovators.

Professional Development: Complimentary enrolment in short courses by UN
Tourism.

Career Advancement: Access to mentorship, funding, and partnership opportunities and inclusion in the Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators Network.

Global Exposure: Present your innovation at high-profile events and connect with
industry leaders.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is your opportunity to
transform the travel and tourism sector. Showcase your creativity, demonstrate your impact, and bring your vision to life!

click to enter competition

Objectives

  • To select top three most innovative projects and present to potential
    funders, partners and mentors
  • To allow parties interested in innovation to connect and do business
  • To create B2B match-making platform for young innovators

Competition Criteria

  • The project promoter must be a citizen of African Union Member
    State
  • Promoter must be between the ages of 18 and 35
  • The project must show evidence of innovation
    The project must be solving a challenge relating to Africa’s tourism
    industry
  • The project must be a sustainable and scalable business model
  • The project must show proof of authenticity.
    https://www.tourismleadershipforum.africa/youth-summit-form/
    to sign up now.

Shortlisted and Elevated Pitch

  • Entries – 10 May 2021
  • Deadline for Awards and Competition entries close on 15 June 2021.
  • Adjudicators will shortlist top 5 entries based on an approved scoring
    system – 21 – 30 June 2021
  • Shortlisted project promoters will be informed by 5 July 2021.
  • 360 minutes of Mentorship for elevator pitches – 12 – 26 July 2021
  • Shortlisted projects promoters will make a 5-minute presentation at
    the Summit Announcement of winners and runners-up – 30 July 2021 at 2021
    Africa Tourism Leadership and Awards in Kigali, Rwanda.

Benefits to Winners and Runners-up

  • Mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career
    opportunities
  • Part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism, Mentors
    and Innovators

summit registration

Click to Register
  • +27 81 303 7030
  • info@africatourismpartners.com
  • 61 Tumbleweed Place, Country View, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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competition entry form

2022
4th africa youth in tourism innovation summit & challenge

1. Introduction (Maximum 300 letters):
2. Project Challenge/Problem statement (Maximum 250 letters):
3. Target audience (Maximum 250 letters):
4. Solution & USP (Maximum: 250 letters):
5. Total addressable market and targeted market % (Maximum: 250 letters):
6. Competitor analysis: (Maximum: 300 letters):
7. Team composition: (Maximum: 150 letters):
8. Financial modelling including investment to date (own skin in the game): (Maximum: 300 letters):
9. Projections: (Maximum: 250 letters):
10. Budget including costs (development, operating etc): (Maximum: 250 letters):
11. Traction: (Maximum: 250 letters):
12. Ask and what will be offered in return: (Maximum: 250 letters):
13. How the ask will be used (Maximum: 250 letters):
14. Timeline for development: (Maximum: 100 letters):
15. Conclusion/additional information: (Maximum: 500 letters):
Competitor required to show a demo/Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of the project (5 min) during the presentation.