I was honored to be invited as a speaker of the panel «The tourism next big thing: The role of Venture Capital in tourism innovation». The Moderator was the amazing Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder, WiT and the rest of the speakers were Suzanna Chiu, Head, Amadeus Ventures; Nicola Villa, Executive Vice President, Strategic Growth and Global Lead, Government Engagement, Mastercard; Almudena Maillo, Tourism Councillor, Madrid City Hall; Pedro De Mello Breyner, Executive Board Member,Portugal Ventures; Ross Veitch, CEO and CO-Founder, Wego; and Matthew Ridley, Venture Principal, International Airlines Group (IAG), Hangar 51 Ventures.
Clearly a world class panel that was possible thanks the talent of Natalia Bayona, who is injecting innovation in blood in the WTO.
As there is not a record of the session, I would like just to share my answers to the questions addressed by Yeoh Siew Hoon to all the panelists:
let people know the human in you – what kind of impact do you want to have on travel as an investor/innovator.
Simplify the Traveller journey
Overall sentiment – Rate 1-10, how much you agree with this statement – “some of the most incredible stuff that’s going to happen in next 10 years is going to happen now”
I don’t share the expresión increíble stuff. It is not the technology, It is how It is used.
Next big thing – just state what you believe is the next big thing – no need to explain at this stage – and I will prompt you to elaborate after everyone has given their answers.
Frictionless Travel. Stop spending hours at airports, at checking counters of hotels and rent a car, stop providing the same data hundred of times
How do you make this next big thing happen? What is the role of governments/public sector? I will ask you for a wishlist – each one state one wish, and we can elaborate.
The problem is not the lack of technologies, It is the lack of adoption of existing technologies. Public engagement Will be key to eliminate regulatory barriers and to improve the qualification of people working in the Travel industry.
What can private sector professionals and individuals working in travel do to make the next big thing happen?
I don’t believe in the Next Big think.i believe the only thing is work to offer more destinations to the travellers and to simplify their trips. Less hype and more real Travel.
