An innovative scheme by Tourism Sustainable Development Institute, Iran's first Ideas Bank will soon become operational, creating a safe place for the submission of innovative ideas on small businesses that could contribute to tourism development.
Worldwide, ideas banks are widely available and online shared resources where people post, exchange, discuss and polish new ideas. Some of these banks are used for developing new inventions or technologies.
Given the current Iranian government's focus on tourism industry development, talented Iranians deserved to have a place to record their unique ideas with the required security.
During the First National Conference of Innovative Tourism Businesses in Cyberspace held on Dec. 9 at Tehran's University of Science and Culture, some 44 idea developers presented their ideas on tourism mobility, transportation, accommodation, hoteliering, attractions, tourism support services, health tourism and paratour (services specialized for the disabled and the elderly).
During the event, the ideas were put to a public vote, as is conventional in startup events, and eight plans were selected as the best ideas. The finalists were once again vetted by the jury team and three winners were announced.
The first prize went to "Toot Farangi", an Android-based application presenting the exact location of public restrooms. "Tool Rent" was the second best app, facilitating finding and renting expensive tools not-so-often needed by foreign tourists.
"Tour Food" was the third prize-winning application focused on finding local food services using GPS.
"Travelers not only will be able to easily find local restaurants and cafes, but would also become acquainted with Iran's traditional foods," said Parvaneh Parchekani, director of TSDI.
The conference was an opportunity for the selected ideators to be recorded in the newly-designed Ideas Bank to be introduced to sponsors and entrepreneurship centers.
They will receive useful instructions from experts in information and communication technology, entrepreneurship and tourism to develop their ideas as operational schemes, ISNA reported. The bank will officially become operational in February 2017.
"To be recorded in the Ideas Bank, enthusiasts and idea developers could receive a registration permit after going through profiling and selection processes overseen by experts," Parchekani said.
The event's organizers believe over 90% of tourism-related jobs are run by small businesses. Therefore, such opportunities offer a short cut to create innovative jobs and turn ideas into businesses, which contribute to tourism development.
