Kolfinna Kristínardóttir, project manager for Startup Tourism, Ásta Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir, manager of Ferðaklasan, Sigríður Dögg Guðmundsdóttir, director of exports and investments at Íslandstofa, Arndís Anna Reynisdóttir, sales and marketing director of Berjaya Iceland Hotels, Jón Viðar Stefánsson, director of the commercial department N1, Lilja Alfredðsdóttir, minister of tourism, Ásta Guðmundsdóttir, director of tourism Icelandia, Gísli S. Brynjólfsson, Marketing Director of Icelandair and Ásta Sóllilja Guðmundsdóttir, Managing Director of KLAK – Icelandic Startups.
After a five year hiatus have KLAK – Icelandic Startups and The travel group in collaboration with powerful sponsors decided to revive Startup Tourism, a business accelerator for tourism entrepreneurs. By reviving the accelerator, the partners hope to create new opportunities within Icelandic tourism.
The sponsors of the accelerator gathered in Growth today to sign a cooperation agreement on the accelerator, which are the sponsors of the accelerator Ministry of Culture and Trade, Berjaya Iceland Hotels, Icelandair, N1 and Iceland, in addition to which Íslandstofa comes to the project as a partner.
Lilja Alfredsdóttir, Minister of Tourism, emphasizes the importance of tourism for the Icelandic economy:In the new tourism policy and action plan until 2030, the emphasis is on strong innovation and product development. There is great growth and imagination in Icelandic tourism, from smart technological solutions to diverse entertainment and new experiences. By participating in Startup Tourism, parties receive support and encouragement to start such projects quickly and safely."
The accelerator, which was run four times in the years 2016-2019, produced great results for Icelandic tourism, but 15 of the 39 start-up companies that participated are still working today.
Ásta Sóllilja Guðmundsdóttir, managing director of KLAK, expresses his satisfaction with the return of the accelerator: "We are extremely proud to see Startup Tourism waking up from hibernation and the results speak for themselves. We are sure that with innovation it is possible to increase Iceland's competitiveness as a destination even further".
The goal of the project is to encourage innovation and technological advancement in the industry, strengthen the foundations of new companies, increase the number of recreational opportunities and promote the distribution of tourists from all over the country, all year round, and the focus is on making it easier for companies from the countryside to participate.
Ásta Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir, executive director of the Travel Group, added: "Tourism is the nation's largest export sector and with it comes important foreign exchange earnings. Our challenge is to create as much value as possible in the industry and to leave as much value as possible without harming sensitive nature or making the residents' experience negative. Startup Tourism is one of the best tools we have in our drawer to accelerate us towards these important changes". The project marks a turning point in innovation within the tourism industry. Up to ten teams will be offered a place in a five-week fast track that starts on October 28 and ends with Investor Day on November 27, but applications opened today.
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