Entrants had until August 3 to come up with an idea, formulate a business plan and complete the online form on this site.

Now the Investors will shortlist the entrants into those finalists they wish to see pitch their ideas in the TTG boardroom overlooking the River Thames.

Finalists will come to London on September 4 to pitch their ideas to the Investors and to negotiate the level of equity in their company they are prepared to sell in return for the £100,000.

All finalists will be invited to the Grosvenor House in London on September 22 for the TTG Travel Awards, where the winner of the TTG Big Idea will be announced.

TTG will feature the winner in TTG and will follow their fortunes thereafter.

  

Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

The Palm Jumeirah, a man-made palmtree-shaped island

Bawadi - part of the future Dubailand theme park
 
Romantic dining in the desert

A welcome from Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing is once again pleased to be the exclusive sponsor of TTG’s The Big Idea in 2009. Both rooted in innovation leading to big ideas, this destination and TTG’s project provide the perfect match.

Dubai is the world’s most dynamic and progressive destination. Visitors can find their own Dubai and be inspired by its limitless, thought invoking developments and energy… What if we developed the world’s largest theme park? What if we developed the world’s tallest building, or perhaps the biggest mall? Or even the largest man-made marina in the world? Success and big ideas are synonymous with Dubai which is why we support this project to drive innovation in our industry.

Dubai dares to implement projects that others think unthinkable; it has an ambition that others envy.  In the current global economic downturn, some have heralded the downfall of the emirate because, as if surprisingly, the destination is using tactical offers to stimulate demand.  This may be a new experience for Dubai but, as I say, not that surprising.  Dubai is part of the global economy after all.  So what’s the truth?

In the last quarter of 2008, visitor numbers to Dubai from the UK alone increased by 25 per cent.  For the full year 2008, visitors from the UK and Ireland combined grew by 13 per cent, to well over 900,000.  Also in 2008, hotel revenues increased by 15 per cent, the number of rooms in Dubai increased by 16 per cent, and total traffic through Dubai International Airport increased by 9 per cent.  The innovation and big ideas seem to be paying dividend.

There is no room to be complacent though.  No question 2009 has got off to a difficult start, and Dubai must remain proactive and original in how it responds. 

The positive stories about Dubai are far more believable and the emirate’s drive and ambition are unfaltering keeping it firmly on its path of growth.  Before the year is over, the world’s tallest tower, Burj Dubai, will open; Dubai Metro, the world’s largest driverless metro system will begin operating; the world’s first Armani hotel and the stunning Palazzo Versace will also open their doors. The future is very bright indeed.”

 

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