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 WTM.
WTM Fresh will focus on companies less than a year old which 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, Joakim Everstin, Innovations Manager, Sabre Travel Network as well as start-up accelerator ignite 100’s Paul Smith.
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.
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.”
Joakim Everstein added: “Sabre prides itself on being an innovator, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to this exciting WTM initiative.”
Full details about how to apply can be found at www.wtmlondon.com/fresh. Entries should be submitted by 16 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.
Travel Tech Show at WTM Sales Manager Jo Marshall, concluded: “The Travel Technology Show at WTM goes from strength to strength. As well as seminars featuring established tech giants such as Google, Amadeus and TripAdvisor, visitors to WTM 2013 will also have a chance to see what travel businesses less than a year old are doing with technology.”
