“Xenios Academy” awarded by the UNWTO

Startup “Xenios Academy,” whose leader is Željana Babić from Novi Sad, Serbia, emerged as the winner in a competition organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, surpassing more than 140 companies.

The startup, led by Željana Babić, along with support from other experts worldwide, as well as several young individuals from Novi Sad, focuses on the most effective education of employees in the hotel and hospitality industry using advantages of gamification and artificial intelligence. They received the top prize in the “Future Tech” category.

In Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, CEO Željana Babić accepted the first prize on behalf of “Xenios Academy” during the celebration of World Tourism Day on September 27th. The event was attended by delegations from tourism ministries of member countries from around the world, as well as other entrepreneurs and officials. The Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, and the Executive Director of the organization, Zorica Urošević, were also present at the awards ceremony.

“This is not our first major award in global competitions, but it is certainly the largest and most significant recognition of our work to date. To be recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization on the global stage as a promising young company in our first year of operation is a significant acknowledgment of our entire young team,” commented Babić after receiving the award on World Tourism Day in Riyadh.

The competition emphasized the importance of women’s roles in entrepreneurship and the development of new technologies.

World Tourism Day 2023 is a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.

Xenios Academy

September 27, 2023.