Push4tourism Open Innovation – Travel Agencies Edition 2026

About

push4tourism Open Innovation – Travel Agencies Edition is the pioneering programme for the tourism distribution subsector, developed in an exclusive partnership with APAVT.

Representing €5.8 thousand millions, 126.000 jobs e 80% of the sector’s value added, travel agencies and tour operators are now facing the challenge of reinvention. We will select startups to address real-world challenges through co-creation and pilot projects, aligned with the Tourism Strategy 2027, the SDGs, and our Pilot Partners.

This is your opportunity

to contribute to one of the country’s

most innovative ecosystems,

the Tourism ecosystem.

We’re counting on you!

Startups Registration
Explore the priority challenges
fotografia de sergio-povoas-coordenadornacional-push4tourism-website
National Coordinator
Sérgio Póvoas
An Innovative Vision

VISION

“With 25 years of experience, my vision is clear: to ensure that tourism distribution in Portugal leads its own transformation.
The Travel Agencies sector is facing technological disruption. Innovation is vital. This program, developed in partnership with APAVT, is our response.
We do not merely identify problems; we create a co-creation environment where the experience of the Pilot Agencies merges with the disruptive solutions of startups.
Push4tourism is the journey that will enable Travel Agencies to optimize their processes, test new solutions, and strengthen their competitiveness, aligned with the FIT 2.0 objectives.
We invite everyone to co-create the next chapter of national tourism.”

 

Sérgio Póvoas – National Coordinator – push4tourism Open Innovation Program

Partners Network

Meet the Partners of the push4tourism Programme

Developed in partnership with leading companies and institutions from the tourism sector, as well as national and international entrepreneurial ecosystem players, Push4Tourism aims to ensure that all participants benefit from knowledge, networking, processes, and tourism innovation mechanisms that go beyond a one-off or short-term response, establishing stronger levels of structure, differentiation, and ambition.

Main Partner

Pilot Partners

Institutional Partner

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Partners

Corporate Partners

Our Corporate Partners are ready to begin this journey with you, supported by our Management Team, which – in close alignment with the Program Pushers – will work diligently to ensure that the right matches are made and that they are productive and valuable for all parties.

Take on these challenges and be part of the solution

push4tourism CHALLENGES

Based on the defined strategic guidelines, current market challenges, and the profile of the Pilot Agencies, the program has established four main priority areas (and the macro operational objectives that support them). Through these priorities, the push4tourism team will actively foster effective matching with the selected startups.
In this context, push4tourism will promote this matching through co-creation, co-development, and the exploration of solutions across the following DOMAINS:

este icon representado por uma mala de viagem com pega ou mais conhecido por trólei tem tambem um passport e um avião tudo envolvido em forma circular para simbolizar a experiencia do turista

CUSTOMER CENTRIC

Enhancing customer experience and personalization
este icon contem um computador portatil com grafico e um lupa por cima , serve para ilustrar uma gestao baseada em dados

MANAGEMENT

Advanced reservations management and CRM

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable management of companies and destinations

DATA

AI & Data‑Driven Management
este icon contem um homem a segurar uma moeda por cima de um código de barras, um icon para ilustrar gestao sustentavel no programa push4 tourism

AUTOMATION

Process automation (invoicing, B2B payments)
Travel Agencies & Tour Operators Registration
Startups Registration

push4tourism Programme Stages

Innovation JOURNEY

We are looking for travel agents and innovative startups

Who is push4tourism Open Innovation – Travel Agencies & Tourism Edition for?

t Senhora idosa com óculos de sol redondos e chapéu amarelo, no cartaz do Push4Tourism, simbolizando a diversidade e a experiência do cliente no turismo.

We aim to build bridges between Travel Agencies and Operators (who identify their challenges) and Startups (who propose and deliver the solutions), with the goal of transforming tourism distribution in Portugal.
Register below through our Innovation Diagnostic for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators.

INNOVATION ASSESSMENT

Travel Agencies and Operators (Pilot Partners)

PURPOSE

To connect the experience and deep industry knowledge of Pilot Agencies and Operators with the agility and disruptive solutions of startups.

ENGAGEMENT

Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, in partnership with APAVT (Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism), identify the key operational and strategic challenges that will be the focus of the program.

BENEFITS

They gain access to new capabilities that enable them to optimize their business model, test new solutions in a controlled environment, and strengthen their competitiveness.

For your startup, on the road to success!

push4tourism invites all startups with innovative solutions to apply to its Open Innovation program. Our team is fully motivated to discover and support startups that aim to optimize and boost the tourism sector.
Take on the challenge and give your business — and the sector’s competitiveness – a real boost!

Startups Registration
Who We Are

Program PROMOTER

logo gesentrepreneur a branco com icon em forma de seta no inicio da palavra

GESENTREPRENEUR – Expertise and Areas of Activity

Promoter

GesEntrepreneur was founded in 2006 within the Gesbanha Group, led by Francisco Banha, which has been operating for over 30 years in Portugal’s national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Within this context, the Group was responsible for launching Portugal’s first Venture Catalyst (Gesventure) and the country’s first Business Angels Club, founded in 1999 - BAC.

Currently, GesEntrepreneur operates from North to South of the country, with offices in Penela, Coimbra, Braga, Lisbon (Caxias), and Ponta Delgada, supported by its network of partner incubators and coworking spaces.

Expertise

Design and implementation
Project management
Incubation consulting
Startup acceleration
Entrepreneurial capacity building

Program KPIs

Projects Ideated
and Accelerated

+180
+180

Projects
Completed

66
66

Active Projects

57
57

Invested Projects

16
16
Who We Are

Strategic PARTNER

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APAVT is Portugal’s largest and leading association in the sector!

PARTNER

APAVT - Portuguese Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism, founded in 1950, plays a key role in the promotion, representation, and development of national tourism, providing its members with legal services, mediation, certifications, and advisory support.
As the oldest and most representative association in the sector in Portugal, APAVT is the main link between tourism supply and consumers. Its partnership ensures that the programme is fully aligned with the real challenges faced by Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, enabling the co-creation of innovative solutions with direct impact on national tourism distribution.
APAVT also acts in the defence of the sector’s interests and actively promotes the modernisation and competitiveness of its member companies.

ACTIONS

Promote the exchange of ideas among its members
Anticipate market changes
Support the sector’s preparation for the challenges it faces
Get to know the programme team

push4tourism TEAM

Perks of Participating in Push4Tourism

BENEFITS of Joining the push4tourism Program

We offer a programme supported by a network of partners, pushers, mentors, and investors (including Business Angels and VCs), presenting ideal conditions for the co-creation and co-development of innovative tourism solutions!

Pilot Partners

Travel Agencies and Operators

Innovation

Access to disruptive innovation

MVPs

Tested and validated solutions

Results

Boost in competitiveness and sales
Startups Registration
Assessment for Agencies and Operators
Candidates

Benefits for startups

COMPANIES

Reference stakeholders with real challenges for the tourism sector

NATIONAL REACH

This programme has national coverage

PARTNERSHIPS

International partner network supporting internationalisation

PUSHERS & MENTORS

Renowned figures actively involved

ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Knowledge and connection to the innovation ecosystem

MVP SUPPORT

Help with pilot and MVP implementation

BUSINESS FABRIC

Strong ties to the national business fabric

GESENTREPRENEUR INCUBATOR

Support with co-working spaces, expert teams, and tools

GESBANHA GROUP

Experience, technical skills, and networking with financing actors
visit Grupo Gesbanha website