Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, is a founding ecosystem partner of  ADGM’s (Abu Dhabi Global Market) new Travel & Hospitality tech accelerator in the MENA region.

This partnership will give Miral the chance to connect directly with startups through Plug and Play’s international network, supporting the region’s startups by sharing its expertise as a leader in Abu Dhabi’s leisure and entertainment sector.

The agreement aligns with the vision set by Miral to position Yas Island locally and internationally as one of the top global destinations for entertainment and leisure, and to contribute to the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy through tourism.

“Our role as a partner of the Plug and Play ADGM tech accelerator supports Miral’s strategy of approaching every opportunity with an innovation-led mindset, and our goal to encourage others to pursue innovation of their own,” commented Mohammed Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral. “Innovation provides a powerful competitive edge in the experience economy – and more specifically, our industry, as the ingredient that elevates a project from good to ground-breaking. By championing inventive thinking among travel and tourism startups, we can ultimately help to boost Abu Dhabi’sappeal as an investment prospect,” added Al Zaabi.

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform that connects startups to corporations and investors throughout the world. Their introductions help both startups and partner corporations thrive together through investments, pilots, acquisitions, and mutual growth. Plug and Play’s network encompasses more than 10,000 startups in various disciplines worldwide, with over 280 corporate partners, and a presence in more than 25 locations globally.

“We are humbled and proud to partner with Miral and support them in positioning Abu Dhabi as one of the most attractive destinations internationally for both tourism and investment. Our ultimate goal is to source the most disruptive talent from across the globe to support Abu Dhabi’s vision in becoming a regional hub for entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Omeed Mehrinfar, Managing Partner – Middle East, at Plug and Play.

Plug and Play ADGM kicked off its first Fintech accelerator program in Q3 of 2018, supporting financial institutions across the region in achieving their innovation objectives and strengthening their competitive advantage.

Plug and Play’s Travel & Hospitality Innovation Platform was founded in 2016 at its Silicon Valley headquarters, focused on discovering, supporting and scaling disruptive technologies that are reshaping the future of travel. Plug and Play leverages its global network to source startup technologies that increase revenue and lower costs, improve safety and security, build brand loyalty, and create seamless travel experiences for everyone.

The program will commence in Q3 of 2019, with the first batch of selected startups residing at ADGM.