The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and IE Business School are pleased to present the UNWTO Tourism Tech (Ad)Venture: Big Data Solutions in Tourism which will be held from 31 October to 1 November 2018 in Manama, Bahrain, in the framework of the 109th session of the Executive Council of UNWTO.

The TTAF will be a tourism innovation forum with a multi-stakeholder approach that will be developed around the use of big data solutions in tourism and how they can power new and upcoming business models through innovation. . The event will gather representatives from governments and the public sector, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and startups, investors, representatives from the academic sector, as well as business supporters (accelerators, incubators, etc.) with the ultimate goal of stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship and investments in the tourism sector.

The Forum will offer an unprecedented platform for entrepreneurship and tourism innovation in order to create synergies between the different actors, exchange success stories and encourage the culture in venture capital investment. Likewise, this space will provide solutions to challenges related to digital transformation as a source of employment, competitiveness and sustainable development.

We are developing a comprehensive programme that invites all the stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem to discuss the immense impact that innovation and technology have on the Tourism sector by providing insight through Big Data and enabling tourism stakeholders to pinpoint marketing campaigns, make informed decisions and improve the efficiency and quality of services in a sustainable manner. Smart management, access to financing for entrepreneurs and technology for sustainable solutions are among the topics that will be addressed.

It will be comprised by activities for startups, including a masterclass and a competition; a keynote speech; two panel sessions on Smart Tourism Management and Big Data Solutions in Tourism as well as a Ministerial Masterclass.

Startups focused on Big Data technologies and their application in tourism will be selected among the participating startups of the I UNWTO Global tourism startups competition.

Preceding the Forum, participating startups will be invited to attend this MasterClass on 31 October 2018, where they will be taught by leading entrepreneurs and mentors on pitching and business strategies.

On 1 November, startups will have the opportunity to present their projects and compete. The Competition will be a driving force for tourism startups to scale-up operations and grow internationally by providing an excellent platform for the most disruptive innovators in tourism to connect with top global investors, corporates and supporting business partners.

A panel of judges will vote on the best pitches and the entrepreneur(s) with the best ideas will be awarded (1) From the Portugal Ventures, a public venture capital company a monetary prize and facilities for 24 months for project development, including mentoring services from NEST - Tourism Innovation Center, in Estoril and (2) From The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, a monetary prize and 12 months of mentoring and incubation for the selected project in Bahrain.

It will be a unique opportunity to connect with the key players of the international entrepreneurial ecosystem and to enhance your networking taking it to the next level. Do not miss this outstanding opportunity!