WiT Singapore 2019 kicked off with the day dedicated to companies and speakers representing sectors and markets where innovation and entrepreneurship drive change.
Underscoring the day’s theme of innovation and change was the announcement that WiT will embrace Africa into its family of events with the launch of WiT Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 28, 2020.
“The time has come for Africa in the online travel space,” said WiT founder Yeoh Siew Hoon. “The rest of the world is excited about African opportunities and the dynamism of the region echoes what we have experienced in many of Asia’s emerging markets – fragmented, diverse, connected and full of promise – and we look forward to learning how the industry is changing and growing on the continent.”
WiT, which has been running its signature conference in Singapore since 2005, also runs editions in South Korea (Seoul); Japan & North Asia (Tokyo) as well as Middle East (Dubai) and its events are considered an important catalyst for growth of the online travel industry particularly in the emerging world.
“With our roots in Asia, we understand the characteristics of emerging markets and the headroom for growth with a young, urban, rising middle class demographic – often highly social, highly mobile – and we are excited to connect the dots between what is happening in Africa with Asia, and see if there are lessons to be learnt for mutual gain,” said Yeoh.
The WiT Singapore Startup Pitch 2019 kicked off with the 10 semifinalists making their pitches to the judging panel today. Three – eRoam, IDEM Labs and Travenues – made it through to the final round on Wednesday. All 10 today received Amazon Web Services (AWS) service credits and business support for up to one year.
Today also marked the launch of the WiT Time Capsule, a collaborative vision of the future by the WiT Community. WiT attendees have been invited to contribute their thoughts on what travel will look like in 2029.
“In 2019, at the turn of a decade, we are inviting you to co-create the future with us. With the pace of change in travel both online and offline, the WiT Time Capsule asks the industry to imagine what will come next in travel and how will we get there,” said Marissa Trew, content and marketing, WiT.
Answers will be shown on final day closing.
WiT Singapore 2019’s Main Stage, to be held over two days, will open tomorrow at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
