The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the nation’s leading digital economy agency, recently hosted the Digital Tourism Innovation Lab (DTIL) Demo Day Cohort 2, the second stage in a series of initiatives that serves as strategic, national platforms dedicated to fostering tourism tech innovation in Malaysia.
Established with the vision to support the country’s tourism industry, DTIL is a collaboration between MDEC and accelerator partner, 1337 Ventures that aims to develop a steady stream of tourism tech companies in supporting the growth of innovative tourism offerings while meeting the digitalisation demand from industry players.
Ma Sivanesan, Deputy Secretary General (Digital Development) of the Ministry of Digital, who was present at the event, expressed immense enthusiasm for the tourism technology solutions presented by the Cohort 2 participants. He emphasised the critical role of digital innovation in transforming Malaysia’s tourism landscape and commended the efforts of the participating companies in developing and using new technologies in the tourism industry.
CEO of MDEC, Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Head of Digital Transformation of MDEC, YBhg. Datuk Ts. Fadzli Abdul Wahit, and Deputy Secretary General (Digital Development) of the Ministry of Digital, Mr. MA Sivanesan, together with participants from Cohort 2. (from left: Tripkliq., Gowaus, Reyhut Hospitality Automation, Strategic Ecommerce Services Sdn Bhd (SECOMS), CEO MDEC, DSG MD, MDEC Head of Digital Transformation, Wanderworks Lab, BOSSREC, Medtrip, and Loka Travel).
According to MDEC, the tourism industry stands as a vital pillar of Malaysia’s service sector, and its potential for higher contributions to the nation’s GDP is undeniable. With the rise of digital adoption, this sector is poised for transformative growth, and the DTIL initiative by MDEC underscores the importance and urgency of digitalising the tourism industry, especially with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon.
“We are on the verge of a digital revolution in tourism. The innovations showcased today not only enhance the tourists experience in Malaysia but also pave the way for sustainable growth and community empowerment. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, it is imperative that we accelerate our digitalisation efforts to ensure we offer world-class experiences to our visitors.” said Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC.
Building on the success of Cohort 1 and 2, DTIL announced the launch of Cohort 3, started to accept applications in July 2024. This third cohort seeks to attract even more innovative minds and foster partnerships that will drive the next wave of tourism tech innovation, underpinned by the advancements in AI, blockchain, Advanced 5G Network Connectivity and other technologies.
Applications are now open here.
DTIL also offers access to mentorship, funding opportunities and a collaborative environment to work alongside like-minded innovators and industry experts, and impactful innovation to contribute to the digital transformation of Malaysia’s tourism industry and make a tangible impact on local communities.
The 8 companies that were selected for Cohort 2:
- Wanderworks Lab – A Generative AI-powered marketplace for remote workers to find underutilised, work-friendly tables of cafes and co-working offices, enabling highly distributed flexible work desk solutions.
- Tripkliq -Tripkliq makes travel planning a breeze. It’s your all-in-one app to find inspo, plan your trip, book everything, have amazing experiences, and share your adventures – all in one place.
- Reyhut – Automate STR backend & guest experience. Keyless check-in with a unique software-hardware link.
- BOSSREC – An adventure tourism mobile app which offers users a platform to discover, plan, and book adventurous experiences worldwide. It features diverse activities like hiking, rafting, and paragliding, with detailed descriptions, ratings, and reviews.
- GoWaus – Gowaus (MY travel platform) tackles 2 gaps: limited Muslim-friendly itineraries and restricted guide autonomy.
- Loka – Transforms travel experiences, blending local insights with advanced location intelligence. Enables tailor-made itineraries using tech, ensuring every journey resonates with your unique travel aspirations.
- SECOMS – Boosts Malaysia hotels with 4x online sales, half online commission (iBook), and efficient ops with automation.
- MedTrip – Revolutionises healthcare with a digital platform connecting patients to cross-border medical services with personalised doctor/hospital recommendations and medical cost estimation.
