Baku. 24 October. REPORT.AZ/ Tbilisi is hosting a Welcome Challenge, an annual Global Forum for Hospitality and Travel Industry Innovations.
Report's Georgian bureau informs that the event held with the support of the country's National Tourism Administration brought together the startup companies and investors from different countries.
Speaking before the event participants, head of Georgia's National Tourism Administration Giorgi Chogovadze stressed the importance attached to tourism development in the country: "Georgia is known as one of the countries with the most rapidly developing tourism. Innovative solutions and startups in the sphere of tourism will be presented as part of the forum. Georgia is turning into a regional hub of innovations and startups. I believe that the forum will be useful and successful for all participants."
Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kobulia said tourism is the main sector of the country's economy: "A program aimed at raising the quality of tourism services is being developed in Georgia. As part of the implemented projects we will be able to ensure maximum comfort of tourists visiting the country."
Azerbaijan is represented in the forum by Appoll, Onbranch, Eco Solutions and Ticketsetup startup projects.
Head of Onbranch LLC Elchin Askerov said speaking to journalists that 21 startup projects representing nearly 15 countries will take part in the competition as part of the forum: "During the competitions the heads of startups will make a three-minute presentation and the jurors will determine the winner. The prize fund of the competition makes $10,000."
Askerov noted that the main aim of participation in the forum is to develop Onbranch project in Georgia and include the facilities located in Tbilisi and Batumi into the project: "Our participation in the forum will be useful in terms of establishing ties and attracting investors to the startup project."
The final of the competition among startuppers will be held on October 25.