DRMumbai: Fifteen of the most innovative startups have been invited to the World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) Startup Innovation Camp 2018 taking place at PATA Travel Mart 2018 (PTM 2018) on September 12 in Langkawi, Malaysia.
The event will provide a unique opportunity to startups to pitch their business model and convince international investors to help make their vision a reality. For the first time in Asia, WTFL is organising the Startup Innovation Camp with the aim of promoting new and innovative business models in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
Startups had the opportunity to apply in five different categories: Transaction, Hospitality, Destination, Mobility, and Impact.
With applications from over 200 young entrepreneurs from 54 different countries, the 15 best startups of each category were pre-selected by the international jury and have been invited to pitch their business in front of a jury of international investors and industry executives.
The winner of each category will be awarded with $15,000 Startup Innovation Award 2018, two-year coaching programme, and ‘5 Minutes of Fame’ in front of a high-ranking international audience.
“AT PATA, we are always looking at ways to further add value and relevant content to our events. The integration of the WTFL Startup Innovation Camp 2018 into the PTM 2018 programme for the first time provides PTM delegates the unique opportunity to be inspired by the game-changing business models of revolutionary startups in the travel industry around the world,” said Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA.
“In addition, it also provides a valuable platform for the startups to increase their exposure and build their networks in the industry,” said. “I am truly excited to welcome these 15 entrepreneurs to Langkawi and hear about their innovative businesses.”
Roland Zeller, Chairman, Jury, WTFL, who is a leading entrepreneur and business angel, is positively surprised by the amount of innovation startups deliver each year. Overwhelmed by the number of applications and spectrum of nationalities, the jury had a difficult task to select the most promising business models.
However, the following 15 startups succeeded in convincing the jury the most, above all by their innovative thinking and vision.“Particularly in these times of structural changes and challenges, innovation is a key factor in the long-term competitiveness of companies,” said Zeller.
Martin Barth, President and CEO, WTFL, is convinced that “innovation is very much present in all sectors and niches of the global tourism industry. Although digitalisation has strongly impacted travel and tourism, innovation exists not only online but offline as well.”
“Our finalists operate in online business such as booking platforms and software tools, but also offline as reducing food waste by using smart dustbins in the hospitality industry.”
“WTFL Startup Innovation Camp is a great opportunity for young entrepreneurs to establish contacts, receive deep industry know-how and advice from top experts in travel, tourism and hospitality sector. Besides, the Camp offers investors and industry executives the chance to meet the most innovative start-ups from around the world, get an insight into the best ideas of the future and push innovation to the next level.”
