Table of contents

Acknowledgements 3

Executive Summary 5

Incubators and accelerators to support travel and tourism start-ups 7

Innovation potential and challenges of start-ups in the tourism sector 7

Role of incubators and accelerators in supporting travel and tourism start-ups 10

Comparative classification of incubator and accelerator characteristics 11

Mapping and analysis of travel and tourism incubators and accelerators 13

Policy considerations to strengthen tourism innovation and entrepreneurship 22

References 27

Notes 28

Annex A: Mapping of travel and tourism incubators and accelerators 29

FIGURES

Figure 1. Startup programmes and start-up growth phases 13

TABLES

Table 1. Business demography in accommodation and food service activities, selected EU countries, 2023 9

Table 2. Incubators and accelerators in travel and tourism in the EU27, 2025 29

BOXES

Box 1. Geographic reach of tourism incubators and accelerators: selected examples 16

Box 2. Governance models of tourism incubators and accelerators: selected examples 18

Box 3. Facilities provided by tourism incubators and accelerators: selected examples 21