Tourism Innovation Awards 2025 spotlight data-driven hospitality and sustainable destination experiences

MADRID – The sixth edition of the Tourism Innovation Awards, held during TIS – Tourism Innovation Summit 2025, highlighted the technologies and business models shaping the future of travel. With more than 165 submissions reviewed, the awards recognized digital transformation, sustainability, and enhanced customer experience as the cornerstones of smart tourism development.

New commercial models received strong attention this year. TripResale secured the Vueling Award for the Best Travel Tech New Business Model, acknowledging its secure marketplace for reselling non-refundable reservations. The solution aims to reduce revenue losses while improving flexibility for customers and accommodation providers. Experience Buddy and Ddriftt were also shortlisted for innovations supporting rural tourism and trust-based vacation rental transactions.

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Destination marketing and urban cultural engagement were recognized through the Mabrian Award for the Best Martech Innovation. The City Council of Malaga earned top honors for its “Malaga Loves” initiative, an urban art project designed to strengthen civic pride and elevate cultural identity. Walks Tours and Devour Tours, as well as Slovenia’s Olympic-focused destination campaign, were finalists.

The Radisson Hotel Group was awarded the Newhotel Award for AI and Digital Innovation for deploying artificial intelligence to personalize guest services and streamline operational workflows. The Vice Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and Visit Flanders were recognized as finalists for leveraging Big Data and AI to promote sustainable tourism competitiveness and improve visitor recommendations.

Immersive experiences drew industry interest through the Adestic Award for Excellence in Customer Experience. Inside Your Movie received the honor for a product that gives travelers cinematic narratives tailored to their individual journeys. Wine on Route, offering AI-enabled wine tourism guidance, and Puy du Fou Spain were shortlisted.

Sustainability remained a central theme at TIS 2025. United Waterways won the Septeo Award for Best Sustainable Leadership for its river cruise configurator enabling innovative, low-impact vessels and improved CO₂ emission management. Programs by Transavia France to reduce operational emissions and Galiwonders’ community-driven regenerative tourism initiatives were also recognized.

Inclusive tourism solutions completed the award categories. TUR4all, operated by Impulsa Igualdad, took the Cadena SER Award for Diversity and Inclusion Excellence for the delivery of accessible travel services that reinvest earnings into social autonomy initiatives. Autism Friendly Club and Guides for Good, which mobilizes volunteers to enhance cultural accessibility, were named finalists.

This year’s winners demonstrated how collaborative innovation across hospitality, destination management, and transport can strengthen tourism’s resilience and align sector growth with sustainability and community value.

The article Tourism Innovation Awards 2025 spotlight data-driven hospitality and sustainable destination experiences first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.

The post Tourism Innovation Awards 2025 spotlight data-driven hospitality and sustainable destination experiences appeared first on Travel Daily News