Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition

Introduction

Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. Beyond creating jobs and generating income, tourism has the potential to solve social, economic, and environmental challenges when developed responsibly. Around the world, a new generation of entrepreneurs is using tourism as a tool to protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, create employment, empower local communities, and improve livelihoods.

To recognize and support these innovators, the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition (SET Competition) was established. It is the world’s first international competition dedicated entirely to social entrepreneurship and innovation in the tourism sector. Since its launch in 2019, the competition has attracted hundreds of innovative tourism ventures from more than 60 countries, providing entrepreneurs with mentorship, international exposure, networking opportunities, and financial support.

Whether you are developing a sustainable tourism startup in Africa, promoting community-based tourism in Asia, or creating innovative travel technology in Europe, the SET Competition offers an excellent platform to showcase your ideas and connect with global tourism leaders.

What is the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition?

The Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition (SET Competition) is an annual international competition that identifies, supports, and promotes tourism entrepreneurs whose businesses create positive social, environmental, or community impact.

Unlike traditional business competitions that focus primarily on profitability, the SET Competition recognizes ventures that balance financial sustainability with measurable positive impact. Participants are encouraged to develop tourism businesses that contribute to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty reduction, quality education, climate action, gender equality, and responsible consumption.

The competition brings together entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, tourism professionals, universities, and international organizations that share a common vision of making tourism a force for good worldwide.

view more article like this: https://safarizoom.co.tz/competition/

Objectives of the Competition

The Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition aims to:

• Encourage innovation in sustainable and responsible tourism.

• Support entrepreneurs whose tourism businesses generate positive social and environmental impact.

• Promote tourism solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Connect tourism innovators with experienced mentors and industry experts.

• Increase international visibility for promising tourism ventures.

• Build a global community of social entrepreneurs committed to transforming tourism into a more inclusive and sustainable industry.

• Help entrepreneurs scale their businesses through networking, coaching, and investment opportunities. (socialtourismcompetition.com)

Benefits of Participating

Participating in the SET Competition offers far more than the opportunity to win a prize. Successful applicants gain access to valuable resources that can accelerate the growth of their ventures.

Some of the major benefits include:

• Global networking opportunities with social entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries.

• Professional mentoring and coaching from experienced tourism experts and business leaders.

• International media exposure, increasing visibility among tourism stakeholders, investors, and potential partners.

• Pitching opportunities before an international jury and tourism professionals.

• Financial support, including prize funding awarded to winners in both competition tracks.

• Access to an expanding ecosystem of investors, industry partners, and innovation supporters.

• Membership in a growing international community committed to sustainable tourism development.

Competition Categories

The competition currently consists of two main participation tracks:

1. Launch Track

This category is designed for entrepreneurs who are still in the idea or early development stage. Applicants do not need to have a registered company but should present an innovative tourism concept with strong potential for positive impact.

2. Growth Track

This category targets entrepreneurs who already operate a registered business with a clear business model and are ready to expand their impact and market reach.

These two tracks ensure that both aspiring entrepreneurs and established tourism enterprises have equal opportunities to compete according to their stage of development.

Who Can Participate?

The competition welcomes applicants from around the world who are using tourism to solve social or environmental challenges.

Generally, participants should:

• Have an innovative tourism-related idea or business.

• Demonstrate measurable or potential positive social and environmental impact.

• Align their venture with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• Be committed to creating long-term sustainable change through tourism.

• Apply under the appropriate competition track (Launch or Growth).

The competition is open internationally, making it an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs from developing countries, including Tanzania and other African nations, to gain global recognition.

How Can One Participate?

The application process is entirely online and consists of two main steps.

Step 1: Registration

Applicants first create an account on the competition’s application platform (AwardForce), where they receive access to the official application form.

Step 2: Submit the Application

Participants complete an application that includes:

• Personal and demographic information.

• Motivation for participating.

• Description of the tourism venture or idea.

• Impact objectives.

• Progress achieved so far.

• Selection of up to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• A short video pitch introducing themselves and their project.

Applications must be submitted in English. The platform allows applicants to save their progress before submitting the final application.

Applicants are encouraged to explain their story clearly, demonstrate the uniqueness of their idea, and show how tourism can create lasting positive impact.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed by an international jury of experts who assess each submission using several core criteria.

The main evaluation areas include:

• SDG Contribution – How effectively the project contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Feasibility – Whether the proposed solution is practical and capable of implementation.

• Tourism Focus – The relevance and innovation of the tourism component.

• Creativity and Innovation – Originality of the business idea and its potential impact.

• Video Pitch – The applicant’s ability to communicate their vision clearly and convincingly.

The weighting of these criteria may vary slightly depending on whether the applicant is competing in the Launch Track or the Growth Track.

Deadline Date

According to the official 2026 competition timeline:

• Application Period: 1 May – 30 June 2026

• Jury Evaluation: 27 July – 10 September 2026

• Mentorship Programme: 28 September – 9 November 2026

• Final Pitch Contest and Award Ceremony: 23 November 2026

Prospective applicants should check the official website each year because dates may change for future editions. (socialtourismcompetition.com)

Final words

The Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition has become one of the most influential global initiatives supporting sustainable tourism entrepreneurship. By combining mentorship, international networking, expert coaching, funding opportunities, and worldwide exposure, the competition helps transform innovative tourism ideas into businesses capable of creating meaningful social and environmental change.

For entrepreneurs in Tanzania, East Africa, and other developing regions, the SET Competition represents a valuable opportunity to showcase local tourism innovations on the global stage. Whether your project focuses on community-based tourism, ecotourism, cultural heritage preservation, conservation, travel technology, or inclusive tourism, this competition can provide the support needed to take your venture to the next level.

As tourism continues to evolve, initiatives like the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition demonstrate that business success and positive impact can go hand in hand.

Learn More About the Event

To learn more about the competition, eligibility requirements, application process, and upcoming editions, visit the official website:

Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism: Competition

view more article like this: https://safarizoom.co.tz/competition/