Goa Tourism Accelerator Boosting TourismTech Startup Scene
Theme: Goa Tourism Accelerator as a game changer for the TourismTech Startup Space
Tourism in India is undoubtedly bouncing back after taking a colossal hit during the Pandemic. Interestingly, during the periods of long lock-downs, virtual tourism came to people’s rescue, helping them break the monotony of being cooped up in their houses by offering an easy and inexpensive window to explore places of tourist interests – remember Ministry of Tourism’s webinar series, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’?
Changing face of Tourism in India
While virtual tourism is not new to the world, it undeniably finds more acceptance than ever before. Also, we witness a rising number of smart technology innovations in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors that are continually making it easier for travellers to find new destinations and experiences at budget-friendly prices – all at the click of a button! In India, technology is driving tourism in a big way, and the entire industry, including the government and various stakeholders, are putting up a unified stand to ensure that technology plays a pivotal role in promoting responsible, sustainable tourism in the country.
The Goa Tourism Accelerator, an initiative launched by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Goa-based technology incubator, FiiRE, is a definitive step in the direction of empowering startups and innovators catering to the tourism industry.
“The main objective of the accelerator is to support the growth of tourism startups in Goa and promote innovation and entrepreneurship in TourismTech,” explains D S Prashant, CEO of FiiRE.
Launched in 2021, the Goa TourismTech Accelerator is a high-impact program that invites applications from innovators and startups in the TourismTech space. A qualified jury of industry members and experts select startup ideas with the potential for scaling up, marketability and uniqueness. In its first edition, the accelerator program received over 50 applications worldwide, of which 14 were selected for incubation and growth support. The selection of ideas for the second edition of the 12-week Goa Tourism Accelerator 2022 is underway.
The accelerator provides selected startups with access to mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and funding to help them develop and scale their products or services. The program also offers startups access to a network of industry experts, investors, and potential customers. It provides them with resources and support to help them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
Through the accelerator, startups have the opportunity to work on projects related to tourism, such as developing innovative travel and hospitality products, improving destination marketing and management, and creating solutions for sustainable tourism practices. The program aims to help drive the growth of Goa’s tourism industry and position the state as a hub for tourism innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
The Future of TourismTech in Goa
“Working on our vision to be a TourismTech Startup Hub by 2030, we are constantly looking for startups and innovators with game-changing solutions to make tourism, travel and hospitality sectors, along with supporting micro industries, future-ready and recession-proof. The Goa Tourism Accelerator is one of its kind of program that offers a level playing field for entrepreneurs and innovators from all across the world,” sums up Thejus Joseph, COO of FiiRE.
Recognized amongst the premier TourismTech accelerators in the country, FiiRE pursues the objective of supporting tech founders to design and scale TourismTech innovations in various segments, including travel, hospitality, sustainability, mobility, operational efficiency, and new payment solutions, amongst others. FiiRE Goa combines its rich experience in startup incubation with industry experts in tourism and tourism technology to provide a robust ecosystem for accelerating and supporting TourismTech startups.