BANGKOK – Fifteen of the most innovative start-ups have been invited to the World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) Start-Up Innovation Camp 2018 taking place at PATA Travel Mart 2018 (PTM 2018) on September 12 in Langkawi, Malaysia, where they will have a unique opportunity to pitch their business model and convince international investors to help make their vision a reality.

For the third time and the first time in Asia, WTFL is organizing the Start-Up Innovation Camp with the aim of promoting new and innovative business models in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Start-ups 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 start-ups 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 USD15,000 Start-Up Innovation Award 2018, 2-year coaching program, 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 Start-Up Innovation Camp 2018 into the PTM 2018 program for the first time provides PTM delegates the unique opportunity to be inspired by the game-changing business models of revolutionary start-ups in the travel industry around the world. In addition, it also provides a valuable platform for the start-ups to increase their exposure and build their networks in the industry,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “I am truly excited to welcome these 15 entrepreneurs to Langkawi and hear about their innovative businesses.”

WTFL Chairman of the Jury Roland Zeller, a leading entrepreneur and business angel, is positively surprised by the amount of innovation start-ups 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 start-ups 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 Mr. Zeller.

Martin Barth, WTFL President & CEO is convinced that  „innovation is very much in evidence in all sectors and niches of the global tourism industry. Although digitalization 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 Start-Up 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.”

The 15 start-up finalists making their final pitches include:

Destination
Cuseum (USA)
Irhal (UAE)
Rainmaker (Namibia)

Hospitality
Contactless (Estonia)
Igloohome (Singapore)
Zeemart (Singapore)

Impact
Good For Food (Singapore)
Red Dot Foundation (India)
The Freebird Club (Ireland)

Mobility
Confirmtkt (India)
Kwikcar (Malaysia)
Wingly (France)

Transaction
Baarb (USA)
Tixget (Thailand)
TripClub (Philippines)