YourStory.in Launches TravelSparks to Showcase Indian Travel Entrepreneurs
The number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ Union Territories of India during 2011 was 851 million as compared to 748 million in 2010 and 669 million in 2009. During 2011, the number of domestic tourist visits to States/UTs registered an increase of 13.8% over 2010 as compared to increase of 11.8% in 2010 over 2009.During 2011, the number of foreign tourist visits to the States/UTs was 19.5 million as compared to 17.9 million in 2010 and 14.4 million in 2009.
Source: Department of Tourism, Government of India
While the agriculture sector provides jobs to 45 people per lakh, tourism provides employment to 78 people per lakh as per a Planning Commission finding.
Given the huge opportunities the travel sector offers, entrepreneurs are encashing on this to offer innovative travel related services and products, be it weekend travel getaways from cities or socially responsible eco-tourism. Although there is much disruption and innovation happening in this sector, most travel related awards focus on the hospitality industry or bigger tour operators. Travel Sparks turns the focus to travel startups and will uncover the next big travel players from India.
TravelSparks is an endeavour by YourStory to showcase and recognize scalable, innovative and promising travel startups across sectors and offerings.
Participating companies will be showcased online on YourStory.in and a panel of judges ( to be announced soon ) will shortlist the winners. YourStory.in will work closely with the TravelSparks winners to facilitate interactions with VCs, angel investors and industry leaders along with corporate engagements and visibility.
Categories:
- Technology and Content: Mobile apps, online services/products, Content
- Travel operators/agencies: Innovative, unique itineraries and offerings
- Hospitality: Innovative travel accommodation and experiences
- Responsible tourism
- Others - Does not fall into any of the above
Application Open till April 30th 2013 11:59 PM IST.
Criteria for selection: Business model, Market, Team-Experience, Innovation, Social/ecological impact ( for the sustainable tourism category )
If you are a travel related startup please click here and use the form to register
Click below to join us on Facebook for all the updates
Click below to follow TravelSparks on Twitter for the latest updates, contests and news.
// <![CDATA[</p><p>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</p><p>// ]]>
For more information or sponsorship/partnership opportunities write to Vallabh Rao vallabh AT yourstory DOT in