Natalia Bayona leads the innovation, education and investments strategy of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations specialized agency for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism worldwide.
With a diverse background in politics, destination management and business, she has become the first innovation director at UNWTO, has introduced entrepreneurship and education as key factors for tourism and development, and has positioned UNWTO as an innovation benchmark within the wider United Nations system as recognized in the UN 2020 Mapping of Innovation, Data and Digital Capacities.
Her work consists of identifying the most disruptive startups and investment projects and matching them with Member States and leading corporations. As an advocate of youth and technology, she seeks to make entrepreneurs grow for a promising future in all regions.
During the last 3 years, Natalia has developed 7 UNWTO Startup Competitions and 6 Innovation Challenges with outcomes such as more than 74 million USD in support for entrepreneurs and pilots for safe travel. Moreover, she has designed the Tourism Tech Adventures innovation forums and co-created the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy, the pioneer platform for advancing skill development for the sector in collaboration with the most prestigious universities such as IE University, Cornell University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, currently with over 10.000 students. Furthermore, she has created the UNWTO Technical Committee on Tourism Online Education and acts as its Secretary to ensure education is at the forefront of the global agenda.
Natalia graduated in Government and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia and holds an Executive MBA from the IE Business School. Nowadays, she is part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) network as a European Digital Leader and is an Eisenhower Fellow as the first Colombian on the Women Leadership Program for creating the first Tourism for Tomorrow Programme: a high-level network focused on joining public-private efforts for high-impact investments in digital education and innovation for tourism’s sustainable development and post Covid-19 recovery. Additionally, she enjoys sharing knowledge by teaching at universities – Harvard, Externado (Colombia) and Bilkent (Turkey) – and public schools in Colombia as part of her give back to youth and her country.
InsideSeychelles: I am encouraged with Booking Trend-Casa De Leela Owner Robert Pool
FITUR International Tourism Fair set for 42nd edition
Global Youth Tourism Summit aims at Youth Empowerment and engagement in the Tourism Sector
The Role of Women in Cabo Verde‘s Tourism Restart
Up and Close with Zimbabwe music sensation Gemma Griffiths
Seychelles Fashion Week aims at making Fashion Tourism a major draw to the Island
General Director of Basque Culinary Center Joxe Mari Aizega talks future of Gastronomy Tourism
Building Resilience in the Meetings Industry: A Conversation with CEO of SAACI Glenton de Kock
Africa‘s Travel and Tourism Summit café : Young Entrepreneurs push for Intra Africa Travels
Movenpick Hotel Abidjan General Manager Peter Hoesli opens up on VA Tourism Podcast
6th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy put spotlight on Gastronomy and Rural Development
Scrap PCR test requirement for vaccinated travellers to South Africa-CEO of TBCSA, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa
Noom Hotel Abidjan will introduce new standards of luxury which exceed the expectation of the modern day traveller - Jorgen Jorgensen
Exclusivité avec Suzanne Kabbani
Africa‘s Travel and Tourism Summit Café :Founder & CEO of Travel with Confidence Percy Koji talks SMME compliance and Public Private Partnership
MKTE Talks: CEO of Kenya Tourism Board Dr Betty Radier discusses this year‘s Virtual MKTE and Kenya‘s Restart Strategy
Africa‘s Travel and Tourism Summit Café: Judy Kepher Gona applauds South African Tourism for taking a BOLD step to Restart Tourism
Africa‘ Travel and Tourism Summit Café:Unpacking Youth Inclusion as a Driver for Sustainable and Ethical Tourism in Africa
MKTE Talks:Reigniting the Magic of Travel at MKTE 2021with Amanda Margison
Organizers impressed with First Day at Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Travel with Rick Steves
Too Niche?
پادکست رادیو ماجرا