Travel industry research authority, Phocuswright, has announced the award winners of The Travel Innovation Summit, held on November 17 and 18, during The Phocuswright Conference in Hollywood/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Tony D’Astolfo: This year’s presenting companies among the most exciting. (Image credit: Phocuswright)
Phocuswright said that each year, innovative companies were selected to demonstrate groundbreaking applications and solutions that are set to change the travel industry. The winners represent the best of this elite group.
“Travel startups and legacy travel companies are pushing the envelope in terms of making travel easier for everyone,” said Phocuswright’s managing director, Tony D’Astolfo. “This year’s presenting companies are amongst the most exciting we’ve seen demonstrate to date at The Travel Innovation Summit, and we look forward to seeing each make a greater impact on the travel industry in the future.”
Winners are chosen by a panel of “Dragons” comprised of travel and technology experts, who determine the top innovation in three categories – Startup, Emerging, and Established. One company was selected to win the Brand USA Award for Travel Marketing Innovation and one company was awarded the General Catalyst Award for Travel Innovation, which comes with a US$100,000 convertible note.
Winners
- The General Catalyst Award for Travel Innovation: Tansler Inc.
- The Brand USA Award for Travel Marketing Innovation: Travefy
- 33entrepreneurs Best Team Award: Trekkable
- The Most Innovative Startup Company: Proxce
- The Most Innovative Emerging Company: Tansler Inc.
- The Most Innovative Established Company: Revinate
Runners-up
- Innovative Startup Company: Zizoo
- Innovative Emerging Company: AirHelp
- Innovative Established Company: Hipmunk
Also announced were the People Choice award as determined by audience voting. The winner is TripChamp with Guiddoo World as the runner-up.
TripChamp is an open platform for all types of sellers of air and hotel content to reach corporate travellers, TMCs, leisure agents, white label and OEMs. Guiddoo World is a mobile product that provides in-destination content to travelers on the move.
Winners all. (Image credit: Phocuswright)
“The Phocuswright Travel Innovation Summit defines cutting-edge technology in the travel industry,” said Joel Cutler, managing director of General Catalyst Partners. “By bringing our experience with investing in the newest technologies to the table, we can help ensure that the great ideas uncovered at The Travel Innovation Summit have the resources they need to succeed. Tansler Inc. is a perfect example of innovation, and we’re excited to help them become the next successful brand in travel.”
Carroll Rheem, vice president, research and analytics for Brand USA said: “The 2015 Brand USA Marketing Innovation Award was presented to Travefy for offering a rich, intuitive tool for travelers to plan trips together.”
“Through our partnership with Phocuswright and as a sponsor of The Travel Innovation Summit, we are able to connect with an incredible range of talent. The Brand USA Marketing Innovation Award demonstrates our commitment to fostering the future of tourism marketing.”
• Featured image credit (The Travel Innovation Summit): Phocuswright