Contributing to tourism in “out of the box” ways

The global tourism sector has already taken a giant step into the future. Not only has it welcomed travel lovers around the world, it also welcomes the ideas of entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs around the world who seek to contribute to the tourism sector via different viable ideas.

In this context, Nepal Tourism Board and Udhyami Innovations, an organization working to build the start-up ecosystem in Nepal, have launched “Tourism Udhyami Seed Camp,” a platform for entrepreneurs to innovate and start new ventures in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector in collaboration with Laxmi Bank, Laxmi capital, GATE College, Nepal Telecom, World Innovation Forum, Imagine Nepal, and Codewing Solutions.

Tourism Udhyami Boot Camp, a 6-day Bootcamp where selected Tourism Udhyamis get trained, mentored, and coached in different aspects of entrepreneurship, concluded on November 4, 2018. The Boot Camp was formally inaugurated by the Honorable Minister for Trade, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province, Mr. Bikash Lamsal, on October 30, 2018 at the Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province Office, Pokhara.

Tourism Udhyami Seed Camp seeks to identify innovative startups that are capable of transforming the way people travel and experience tourism at present. Against the call of applications from aspiring entrepreneurs, 61 eligible applications were received, out of which 34 most appropriate and viable ideas were shortlisted for the interviews. The best and most appropriate 20 teams were chosen by the selection jury based on the pre-designed criteria of selection. The selected team participated the in the intensive Boot Camp where they worked to validate their idea and learn the fundamentals of doing business from industry experts, senior entrepreneurs, and business trainers.

Renowned tourism entrepreneurs and other stakeholders participated the closing event of the Boot Camp, where the Tourism Udhyamis shared their pitch. Mr. Aditya Baral, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, shared that tough time do not last long, but the top people do, and Tourism Udhyami Seed Camp has the top aspiring entrepreneurs who will help develop tourism in the country.

Mr. Kavi Raj Joshi, CEO of Udhyami Innovations, stated that the teams will now go through another month of follow-up sessions where they will develop their product and pitch it in front of more than 300 different stakeholders including potential investors, possible collaborators, senior tourism entrepreneurs, and business experts.