UN Tourism and France Celebrate Innovative Start-ups Enhancing Sustainable Travel Solutions, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on November 27, 2025

In the quest to foster innovation and promote sustainability in the travel sector, UN Tourism has recognized the contribution of French tourism-tech start-ups and their application of the technology to improve efficiency, foster adaptability and respond to the growing challenges of the sector. Collaboration of the innovating start-ups with the established players in the industry and the public sector is transforming the tourism industry of France, the world’s leading tourist destination for many years.

The recognition is for the pioneers of the French Open Innovation Challenge, which is designed to promote co-creation in France’s agile entrepreneurial environment. The Challenge s France-wide innovators to design and implement technology and to promote sustainability in the tourism industry.

The French Open Innovation Challenge: A Platform for Tourism-Tech Excellence

The French Open Innovation Challenge, launched in partnership with the Directorate of Entrepreneurship of the French Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism, and Purchasing Power, has emerged as a leading initiative to spotlight French tourism-tech innovators. The challenge brought together start-ups from across the nation to collaborate with major companies and public entities, resulting in a showcase of some of the most impactful collaborations.

With an impressive track record of attracting over 20,000 participants in previous years and directing over USD 2 billion in funding, the challenge is helping to grow the most promising tourism-tech solutions. The recognition of these initiatives not only celebrates the contributions of the French innovation ecosystem but also highlights the growing role of public-private partnerships in shaping the future of tourism.

Recognizing the Winners: Shaping the Future of Tourism through Technology

The final pitch event in Paris served as the culmination of the French Open Innovation Challenge. A distinguished jury, comprising leaders from France’s tourism-tech ecosystem and international experts, evaluated the six finalist duos. The winning teams were selected for their impactful and sustainable solutions in tourism innovation.

• Karacal and Renault won the “Efficiency Through Technology” category with their geolocated audio “bubbles”. This cutting-edge technology provides tourists with immersive, location-based cultural storytelling, enhancing the travel experience while offering a sustainable and tech-forward solution for city tours. This partnership not only exemplifies the power of technology in enriching tourism but also demonstrates the potential for collaboration between established companies and innovative start-ups to create smarter, more efficient experiences for travelers.
• Aquatech and Veolia were awarded the “Better – Enhancing Tourism Services” category for their modular green-technology system designed to collect, treat, recycle, and monitor wastewater in tourist areas. This solution addresses a critical environmental challenge in popular tourist destinations, offering a sustainable way to manage waste in areas that see high tourist traffic. This partnership is a prime example of how technology can directly contribute to more eco-friendly and responsible tourism practices.

Both of these innovations reflect a growing trend in the tourism industry toward solutions that are not only efficient and technologically advanced but also aligned with sustainability goals.

The Role of Innovation in France’s Tourism Ecosystem

The French Open Innovation Challenge is a reflection of the country’s thriving tourism-tech ecosystem. France, home to more than 25,000 start-ups, continues to lead in innovation within the tourism sector. By supporting emerging businesses and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, the country has positioned itself as a global leader in tourism-tech development.

As the number one tourism destination in the world, with more than 100 million tourist arrivals annually, France plays a critical role in shaping global travel trends. The growth of the tourism sector relies on adapting to new demands, particularly around sustainability, efficiency, and cultural authenticity. French start-ups are increasingly developing solutions that meet these demands, making the country an attractive destination for tourists seeking modern and responsible travel options.

The Impact of Tourism-Tech Innovations on Travelers and the Environment

For tourists, the innovations coming out of the French Open Innovation Challenge represent a more sustainable and enriching travel experience. From cultural storytelling that enhances the journey to eco-friendly waste management solutions, these technologies improve not only the quality of the trip but also the environmental footprint of tourism.

Travelers today are increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of their choices. They are seeking destinations and services that align with their values—places that embrace sustainable practices, provide authentic cultural experiences, and utilize technology to improve their journeys. By introducing solutions that focus on sustainability, such as wastewater recycling and immersive, location-based tours, these winning start-ups are directly addressing travelers’ desires for both convenience and responsible tourism.

In addition to improving the tourist experience, these technologies have significant implications for local communities. Solutions like the Aquatech and Veolia partnership not only address environmental concerns but also create operational efficiencies that benefit businesses and residents. By improving waste management in tourist areas, these innovations help preserve the local environment, benefiting both the tourism sector and the community at large.

Supporting Start-Ups and Fostering Public-Private Collaboration

As tourism faces numerous challenges—ranging from sustainability issues to the need for improved efficiency—public-private partnerships have proven essential in developing innovative solutions. The French Open Innovation Challenge is an excellent example of how collaboration between government entities, large corporations, and start-ups can drive change. Through this partnership, tourism businesses can access cutting-edge technologies that enable them to meet the evolving needs of travelers while addressing environmental and social challenges.

Moreover, the UN Tourism and French government’s efforts to support young entrepreneurs through scholarships to the UN Tourism Online Academy and opportunities for internationalization and investment provide a platform for further growth. These initiatives not only encourage innovation in tourism but also empower the next generation of tourism leaders, helping them scale their solutions and bring them to global markets.

Looking Ahead: Innovation as the Future of Tourism

The future of tourism depends on the ability of industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, particularly in the areas of sustainability, efficiency, and cultural preservation. As demonstrated by the French Open Innovation Challenge, technology can be a powerful tool for addressing these challenges. The collaboration between start-ups, major companies, and government agencies is essential in driving these changes.

By recognizing and supporting tourism-tech innovations, both France and the UN Tourism are helping to shape a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector, providing valuable lessons that can be applied globally. As technology continues to transform the tourism experience, it will undoubtedly play a key role in how we travel in the future, making destinations more accessible, efficient, and environmentally responsible.

Celebrating Innovation in French Tourism Tech

The best example of how the intersection of technology, innovation and sustainable tourism is demonstrated by the continuous best attitude of the tourism-tech start-ups from the French Open Innovation Challenge and the equally positive response of the tourism sector. The park of the Challenge has been built and implemented globally and has already addressed and solves many of the problems of the travel value chain in positive and new collaboration. The tourism sector has the global leadership of France and its sustainable travel conscience.