Natalia Bayona, Executive Director at the UN Tourism
Doha, Qatar: The second edition of the Women in Tech Startup Competition is underway to strengthen the ecosystem of businesswomen in tourism across the Middle East.
By contesting in this program, aspiring entrepreneurs will access invaluable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities and help to scale their businesses while also empowering them to take on leadership roles within the leisure industry, which signals significant and consistent growth for Qatar and the region.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Natalia Bayona, Executive Director at the UN Tourism said: “Women in Qatar should apply for this competition because it offers a unique platform to showcase their entrepreneurial talents on a regional and international stage. The competition provides access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential funding, which are crucial for scaling their businesses. It also highlights the importance of female leadership in tourism and technology in the country, encouraging more women to pursue careers in these fields.”
Last year’s World Tourism Barometer revealed that Qatar achieved the highest relative growth of international tourism arrivals compared to prepandemic levels, bolstered by a strong performance during Q1 2024, with over 177 percent compared to the first quarter of 2019.
“Considering the unparalleled expansion of the sector, it is of essential importance to invest and empower Qatari female players entering the market and developing their enterprises,” she said.
The official noted that the leisure sector is one of the main employers for women, where they can enhance professional careers with a direct positive impact on their communities. Bayona said, “When we support Qatari women working in tourism we also contribute to the advancement of SDG 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focused on gender equality and women empowerment.”
Notable firms and individuals from developing innovative solutions in green infrastructure, AI-driven travel experiences, and metaverse and big data applications in tourism will take part. Additionally, emerging leaders in AR/VR and IoT (Internet of Things) are also expected to bring forward-thinking solutions that can transform the tourism sector.
Outlining the common challenges faced by startups today, Bayona said that they primarily struggle with building a robust business model. She said “Candidates should focus on clearly defining their unique selling points and the challenges their startup addresses. They should also develop a comprehensive and realistic business plan highlighting their growth strategy and market potential. Besides applying to our competition, seeking mentorship and participating in training programs can provide valuable insights and guidance to founders who are in an idea or early stage. Networking with industry experts and potential investors is also crucial for startups to gain the support and resources needed to advance in their journey.”
This year’s competition focuses on a programme of benefits developed in close collaboration with UN Tourism’s partners and ecosystem collaborators.
“As a United Nations agency, we also work in close collaboration with our Member States through our focal points at the Ministries of Tourism, which are supporting the initiative and disseminating it among their networks,” Bayona added.
The applications are now open and extended until mid-July and shortlisted candidates will be notified by September to participate in the semifinals. Ranking finalists will present their startups at the UN Tourism Tech Adventure in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for November, where the winners will be announced.
