WIT is launching an Indie event aimed at empowering independents and creatives at the long tail of the travel experience. The first edition of WIT Indie will be held in Penang, Malaysia, on April 13, and is supported and sponsored by Penang Institute, one of Malaysia’s leading think tanks. 
The one-day experience will gather entrepreneurs, independents and creatives from across the region who have found success through doing things differently, and by developing digital means to find and keep customers.
Penang Institute will play host that day to boutique hotel owners, tours & activities providers, social influencers and artists. The talks, panels and brainstorming sessions will spark ideas and sharing among the 100-plus independents and creatives expected to attend.
Said WIT founder Yeoh Siew Hoon: “WIT Indie aims to convince people that not only can they compete in the digital age, they can thrive in it. When WIT started in 2005, we gathered what we called the outliers of the industry around that same notion – how can startups and small and medium travel enterprises compete in the digital age?
“Our speakers came from startups like MakeMyTrip, Qunar and Skyscanner, all of which have grown into household names and successful businesses and their founders have made great exits. Thirteen years later, there’s a new generation of outliers that have emerged in travel – the independents and creatives – passionate entrepreneurs and artists who make a wonderful contribution to the diversity of the travel experience.
Penang Institute, home of the first WIT Indie
“When we travel, we seek out the small, local and authentic experiences and it is important this diversity is nurtured in our industry. It is said technology favours the big because of scale and the network effect, but it has also become more affordable, accessible and relevant to independents and creatives.
“WIT Indie offers a platform on which independents and creatives can learn, network, collaborate and share best practices – when you are small, scale can come from thinking outside your business and collaborating with like-minded people in a creative environment.”
Yeoh, who is Penang-born, said, “Penang is a good example of a destination that’s come into its own in the social and mobile age. Word-of-mouth on social media has allowed travellers to seek out unique, local experiences. Friends sharing pictures of street food and street art have increased the desire in others to visit Penang.
“Boutique hotels, cafes and restaurants have popped. up, enriching the experience someone can have in Penang beyond the beaches it used to be known for.
“WIT Indie will put the spotlight on the entrepreneurs whose passion and artistry have enriched the Penang experience for visitors and at the same time bring in those from outside Malaysia to share their experiences, so that learning can be two-way.”
The Blue Mansion, one of the most iconic boutique hotel experiences that define Penang. Its founder Laurence Loh is one of the speakers of the first WIT Indie.
WIT Indie, Penang, is being organised with a local partner, Ooi Geok Ling, the former CEO of Penang Global Tourism. Said Ooi: “We are delighted to have Penang Institute as a launch sponsor and venue because their mission is to ‘secure Penang’s reputation as an intellectual hub and as the culture capital of the country, and to enhance Penang’s reputation in ASEAN and beyond’.
“WIT Indie is the right kind of event for Penang and we want our guests from outside Penang to experience what we know and love about our island, by creating an event and experience that will give them a sense of place.”
Simon Wong of Sideways Singapore will also be speaking to share his story of how he brought Vespa vintage sidecars to Singapore.
The inaugural WIT Indie has garnered several sponsors, among them Tripfez, the Malaysia- based halal hotel booking site; BeMyGuest, Singapore-based tours & activities technology platform; Rezgo, Canada-based tours & activities technology provider; and Sojern, travel’s direct demand engine. Media partners include Malaysia’s business radio station BFM, e27, Asia’s leading startup platform, Penang Monthly and WIT’s sister publication, Travel Weekly Asia.
Programme here
Register here
