The finalists in the Front Runners Travel Tech Competition – the joint initiative between WTM London, Travel Forward and World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) – have been announced.
In Partnership with Amadeus, the nine finalists – all tech-driven start-ups that fit the competition criteria of being on a mission to revolutionise the industry, who innovate for an impact and with a purpose to drive sustainable development and good practices – will now be flown for free to London for the final.
They’ll get the chance to showcase their innovation to a global audience, network with potential partners, be visible to top investors and get stand space at this year’s WTM London and Travel Forward events, which take place from 1-3 November 2021.
On Day 2 – Tuesday 2 November 2021 – they’ll pitch to an international judging panel and exclusive audience of investors, industry leaders and innovators during the Front Runners Travel Tech Summit at 14:00-18:00 GMT, at ExCeL, London.
The competition attracted interest from 450 start-ups from more than 80 countries and eligible applicants had to complete a three-stage evaluation process, where the judges whittled them down to 10 and then chose three finalists in each category.
The finalists are:
In the Hospitality of the Future category, Hotelmize, a UK-based fintech-travel start-up that offers revenue-boosting cutting-edge technology products to the travel industry., is up against Pruvo, an Israeli AI-driven solution that helps travel companies increase profitability by leveraging price fluctuation that occurs in the hotel industry and Singapore-based Stayr, a real-time booking platform that allows consumers to book spaces by the hour.
In the Experiences Revolution category, Clio Muse Tours is a storytelling app that enables accredited professionals from culture and tourism to create and distribute self-guided audio tours through a global network of online travel agencies and museums.. The Greece-based company is up against Community Homestay Network, a tourism value chain that creates job opportunities and improve livelihoods and offers authentic local experiences in Nepal and sustainable tourism company Natoure, based in Mexico with a mission of “Healing nature while traveling.”
In the Smart Mobility category, MOTIONTAG, from Germany, is a mobility analytics company focusing on solving the climate challenge by providing green incentive programs and granular mobility insight for smart cities.. The company is competing with Swiss sustainable mobility solution ShareP solving the problem of parking and EV charging within existing parking infrastructure. and Thrust Carbon, a UK company that reports, reduces, and removes travel emissions through their multi award-winning carbon intelligence platform.
The judging panel consists of: Evantia Giumba, Director at Amadeus Launchpad, EMEA; Alex Cruz, former British Airways and Vueling Chairman & CEO and now a Senior Tourism Specialist; Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners; Liz Ortiguera, Chief Executive Officer, PATA and Elena Cholakova, Head of Innovation projects, WTFL.
WTFL is a non-profit Swiss-based institution that brings together decision-makers from industry, government, academia, young university graduates and start-ups. It runs start-up camps that drive and support innovation in tourism and it has developed a Dealflow tool solution that connects start-ups to potential investors.
In addition to the benefits listed above, shortlisted innovators will also be added to the exclusive WTFL Dealflow Tool, instantly enabling them to be visible to top investors.
Finalist Daphne Tsevreni, Co-founder & CFO at Clio Muse Tours said: “It’s such a privilege to have been announced a finalist in the Front Runners Travel Tech Competition. It’s a great opportunity to connect with even more travel companies and investors interested in travel tech from all around the world and showcase how self-guided tours are a great asset for any kind of tourism company”.
Finalist Fabien Sauthier, COO and Managing Director at MOTIONTAG said: “MOTIONTAG is proud to be part of the Front Runners Summit, as this is a recognition that our work around sustainability is highly relevant in the travel industry. We cannot wait to be in WTM London to network and build partnerships with key decision-makers at this global event!”
Finalist Dor Krubiner, CEO at Hotelmize said: “We are honoured to have been chosen among the Top travel tech start-ups by Travel Forward at WTM London out of 300 applications sent from 80 countries. Stay tuned as we will be presenting our innovative Fintech-based technologies which will empower our partners and travel companies globally through the coming years.”
Simon Press, Event Director at WTM London and Travel Forward, said: “The response has been phenomenal, with applications coming from all corners of the globe and we are looking forward to hearing the presentations by representatives of these nine fabulous, forward-thinking start-ups.”
Martin Barth, President & CEO at WTFL, said: “Front Runners Travel Tech Competition & Summit 2021 is our bold response to fostering innovation and supporting the start-up community in these challenging times. The Front Runners finalists are high potential start-ups who we would like to support to become profound catalysts for change, unlocking new innovations and providing much needed sustainable solutions and inspiration to the industry”
WTM London and Travel Forward in-person shows will take place from November 1-3 at ExCeL London and will be followed by WTM & TF Virtual on November 8-9.
ENDS –
World Tourism Forum Lucerne, is an exclusive platform where leading global companies from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries meet to shape a more sustainable future for tourism. It gives decision makers in-depth insights into the most important topics faced by the tourism industry and a unique global network. World Tourism Forum Lucerne is the only platform to integrate start-ups, next generation leaders and students into one event. Over the past ten years it has developed to become a year-round network of CEOs and thought-leaders who are advocating for positive change in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts. In 2020, WTM Virtual facilitated 20,000+ meetings and held 42 live content sessions over the 3-days show.
Next live event: Monday 1 to 3 November 2021 at ExCel London
Next WTM Virtual: Monday 8 to 9 November 2021 – Virtual
Travel Forward London is the leading travel technology event, co-located with WTM London. Travel Forward is renowned for showcasing the next-generation technologies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Over 19,000 travel officials and 150+ innovative solution providers attend for 3 days of cutting-edge insights, open debate and unrivalled networking opportunities. The combination of a 2-day conference, interactive exhibition and start-up showcase makes Travel Forward truly unique.
Next live event: Monday 1 November to Wednesday 3 November 2021 at ExCel London
Next Travel Forward Virtual: Monday 8 November to Tuesday 9 November 2021 – Virtual
London Travel Week, brought to you by WTM London, is the one-stop-shop for event hosts and visitors to be able to shape the next 12 months of travel together. The festival of events supports the global travel and tourism industry through capturing invaluable news and enhancing industry connections.
Next event: Friday 29 October – Friday 5 November 2021
https://londontravelweek.wtm.com/
WTM Virtual, is the WTM Portfolio virtual platform, created to offer global delegates the chance to arrange one-to-one virtual meetings, to do business, attend conference sessions and roundtables, take part in speed networking and more. WTM Virtual embrace the global leading travel shows in one platform.
WTM Latin America takes place annually in São Paulo and attracts around 19,000 tourism professionals during a three-day event. The show offers qualified content, as well as networking and business opportunities. In its ninth edition – the first 100% virtual – WTM Latin America followed its focus on effective business generation and reached the milestone of 4,200 meetings held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors.
Next event: Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 April 2022 – Expo Center Norte, SP, Brazil
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. More than 6,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors.
Next event: Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 April 2022 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town http://africa.wtm.com/
Arabian Travel Market (ATM), now on its 29th year, is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2021 showcased over 1,300 exhibiting companies from 62 countries across nine halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, with visitors from more than 140 countries over the four days. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. #IdeasArriveHere. Next in-person event: Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11 May 2022, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html
Arabian Travel Week is a festival of events taking place within and alongside Arabian Travel Market 2022. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, it includes ATM Virtual, ILTM Arabia, Arival Dubai, Influencers’ events and activations, as well as Travel Forward. It also features the ATM Buyer Forums, ATM Speed Networking Events as well as a series of country summits. https://www.wtm.com/arabian-travel-week/en-gb.html
WTM Global Hub, is the new WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub. https://hub.wtm.com/
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