Technology-driven trip planning and travel inspiration start-ups can win £5,000 in a new WTM initiative, Fresh, sponsored by Sabre Travel Network as part of the dedicated Travel Tech Show at this year’s World Travel Market in London. The deadline for entries is 16th October.
As well as a £5,000 cash prize, the winner will also receive mentoring from the sponsor Sabre and other members of the judging panel.
WTM Fresh will focus on companies less than a year old that have innovative and viable ideas for using technology – such as web, mobile, social, app or a combination of these – to help consumers with trip planning and travel inspiration before and during a trip.
WTM Fresh is organised by social and digital travel consultancy Travel Perspective, which is producing a number of seminars on social media at WTM 2013. Travel Perspective co-founder Mark Frary is chairman of the judging panel.
Other judges include Lee Hayhurst, editor of Travolution, The Travel Tech Show at WTM’s official media partner, and Joakim Everstin, Innovations Manager, Sabre Travel Network, as well as start-up accelerator ignite 100’s Paul Smith.
Mark Frary said: “Trip planning and travel inspiration are arguably the areas where technology can have the biggest impact on consumers. There are countless start-ups who believe they have come up with the next big thing in travel, but this is an area where there is still scope for innovative ideas that can work for the travel industry both today and tomorrow.”
Full details about how to apply can be found at www.wtmlondon.com/fresh. Entries should be submitted by 16th October. The six shortlisted entries will be invited to present their business plans to the judges and to WTM visitors on the Wednesday of WTM 2013.
WTM 2013 Opening
World Travel Market 2013 will be opened by former Marks & Spencer Chief Executive and Chairman Sir Stuart Rose. He led a turnaround of one of the UK high street’s most well-known brands and fought off a number of high profile takeover bids for the retailer.
He will open World Travel Market 2013 at the new-look WTM Captains of Industry Opening Lunch, with 200 of the industry’s most senior leaders in attendance.
