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I ITB BERLIN CONVENTION I Explore the travel industry of tomorrow at ITB's start-up incubator Jasmine Mortimer, community manager at Smart City Event Incubator and speaker on the ITB Convention MICE Track, explains how the company's latest innovative solutions can inspire the events industry Discover the Smart City Event Incubator at ITB Berlin 2023 – the first of its kind in Europe, focusing specifically on MICE with case studies from participating start-ups. What is the idea behind the Smart City Event Incubator programme ? The idea for a start-up incubator for the events industry is to provide a professional framework for new business models. The Smart City Event Incubator is the only one in Europe that specifically focuses on ideas for the events industry. We help entrepreneurs develop business ideas, solutions, and models that include social inclusion, accessibility, environmental sustainability, as well as new technologies. Potential entrepreneurs can receive a scholarship, resources, training, mentorship and access to crucial networks. This helps turn a creative business idea or solution to a sound and sustainable business model. The ultimate goal of the programme is to make Berlin a better and more liveable city for both residents and visitors. What are the benefits of incubation for both startups and established companies? For start-ups, incubators can provide office space, access to funding, training, coaching and mentoring, as well as networking. Very important is also the possibility for start-ups to test and get feedback of their products and services, helping them to improve their ideas before entering a market. For established companies, incubation programmes offer access to new ideas and innovations that can potentially help them in their business. Such as improving the customer experience, offering recycling solutions or AI support to reduce contractual event risks. What are the available resources for potential founders looking to enter the incubation process? To enter the incubation process, we always recommend that potential founders head out and grow their networks, talk to other start-ups and really try to learn about their ecosystem. The Incubators themselves are a great start to it. There are many government programmes available, particularly in Berlin. They offer funding, training, mentorship and consultancy services. Founders should do their research to identify the ones that best fit their needs and goals. Our Smart City Event Incubator is part of the Berlin Start-up Stipendium and funded by the Berlin Senate and European Social Funds. As we are related to the MICE industry, we network with VDVO, the German Convention Büro, Berlin Convention Office and Women in Events D.A.CH. How can we make events more sustainable and improve the customer experience? Sustainability and the customer experience can work together in events. Sustainability brings a value that event participants want to see and experience. Looking at this sustainability challenge, it is important to consider the unique features and developments of event destinations. In the context of smart cities, events have the potential to shape the perception of a city, facilitate connections, and enhance locals' quality of life. During that process, it is essential to consider resource efficiency and minimize carbon emissions. By considering all of these factors, events can be both sustainable and enjoyable for all participants KEYNOTE: HOW STARTUP INCUBATORS CAN HELP SHAPE AND TRANSFORM THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY Thursday, 9 March 2023 > 11:45 - 12:15 pm Location: Hall 3.1 Green Stage Jasmine Mortimer community manager at Smart City Event Incubator 30 ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 7 TH MARCH 2023 www.itb-berlin-news.com
ADVERTORIAL I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I New campaign "Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!" looks to impress international tourists The State of Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia is back at ITB Berlin highlighting its natural heritage Honourable Hee Loy Sian EXCO of Tourism and Environment State of Selangor, Malaysia SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IS THE PERFECT TOOL TO PROMOTE SELANGOR'S HIDDEN GEMS The Honourable Hee Loy Sian, the EXCO of Tourism and Environment State of Selangor, Malaysia, describes Selangor's new international tourism campaign in an exclusive interview with ITB Berlin News. Which direction will the State of Selangor take in 2023 for its tourism development? Selangor is Malaysia's most developed state, comprising 9 districts and 12 local authorities. Our State is targeting an increase of 5% in tourist inflow from 3.2 million last year to 3.5 million in 2023. We are planning several promotional activities and events such as domestic and international exhibitions, traditional and digital campaigns, social media updates, tourism development, tourism packages and many more. Our coming Tourism Selangor Global Convention 2023 is aiming to bring a B2C Travel Fair, with special packages and discounts offered to tourists. With Tourism Selangor, we identified 9 segment markets. Among them are ecotourism, shopping and leisure, sports tourism, gastronomy, medical tourism and heritage. Agrotourism is also being developed through training led by Selangor’s community-based tourism (CBT) and a collaboration with selected local authorities. Tell us about the significance of the "Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!" campaign? "Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!" is a promotional campaign initiated by our State Government, through Tourism Selangor. It focuses on the international travel market. Objectives are to pique the interests of international tourists, to increase awareness of Selangor as an ideal travel destination and to develop collaboration between tourism operators and tourism industry members. This also involves international partnerships throughout Southeast Asia and Europe. How important is ecotourism in the Splendid Selangor campaign? Selangor has many ecotourism spots including its waterfalls, wetlands and lush paddy field. Sustainable tourism is therefore the perfect tool to promote our hidden gems across Selangor. I'm thinking of Sky Mirror Kuala Selangor, Kanching Eco Forest Park, Kampung Kuantan Fireflies Park and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands. They are among Selangor's ecotourism attractions and are known to have minimal impact on the area while generating financial benefits to sustain the well-being of local economies. Our State also developed the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark Project, a vital element to the preservation of the state’s natural resources. We will always encourage green initiatives and sustainable development efforts Hall 26 / Stands 103-104 GOMBAK- HULU LANGAT GEOPARK ON UNESCO'S RADAR Azrul Shah Mohamad CEO Tourism Selangor is looking to gain international recognition from UNESCO. "Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark combines 20 geo-sites in two districts of Selangor that have been identified as having potential geological value. The area has already been awarded the National Geopark Status as the first Geopark in Selangor and is known as the seventh Geopark in Malaysia," he explained. Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark has made the State Government more determined to protect the environment and work towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). "With our main goal towards a UNESCO recognition, we hope that the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark is not only able to attract more domestic and international tourists, but also able to preserve the site under the management of the Selangor State Government," he added ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 7 TH MARCH 2023 31
