The App Yap Contest at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Sept. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- The World Youth & Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) and its 2011 marketing partner Internet Advantage are proud to host the first annual global App Yap Contest to find the best travel app in the youth travel industry.

On 1 July 2011, the search began to find apps that help young travellers in their journeys, from inspiration to planning to saving memories. An inspiring variety of nearly 40 entries came in from all over the world and so far, over 3600 votes have been cast. From handy maps and carpool tools to insurance assistance and reservation systems, there are some awesome apps out there.  

The entire lineup and vote for one of the top 10 at http://www.wystc.org/index.php/contest-overview/

"Technology is having a major impact on travel and WYSTC is the place to learn about technology and its specific effects on student and youth travel," according to Michael Palmer, Conference Director for WYSTC. "The App Yap competition is one of those learning opportunities. For those that are participating it is an opportunity to encourage the use of their application, get feedback and to see how their mobile solution stacks up with others. For the finalists and the winner, there is recognition as a technology-savvy company and as being the provider of the best in youth travel mobile applications."

This App Yap session will give each of the Top 10 Finalists a platform to showcase their apps in front of 700 delegates looking for inspiring app ideas and partnership opportunities. WYSTC attendees are decision makers, holding senior-level positions in youth travel companies from over 80 countries around the world: CEOs, owners, partners, presidents and directors.

The Top 10 Finalists are (in order of most votes as of 1 September):

1    TripLingo
2    Ask a Nomad by WorldNomads.com
3    TripSketch Green Book
4    donQuijote Phrasebook
5    MyInsurance by Global Secutive
6    Tourist Eye
7    Generator Hostels
8    Study in the USA by InterntionalStudent.com
9    Tripwolf
10  TripAdvisor

Voting continues online until 22 September 2011. Votes will also be collected at WYSTC 2011 in the Trade Hall and at the end of the App Yap Contest session on 22 September. A panel of judges of industry experts will determine the winner, who will be announced at the Industry Awards Luncheon on Friday 23 September, the closing day of WYSTC.

From these ten finalists, a winning app will be chosen which is not only practical but also original, youthful in its design, easy to use and fun.

The winner of the App Yap Contest will receive a prize worth over 5000 EUR:
• Two free registrations to WYSTC 2012 (worth 3200 EUR)
• Online marketing services provided by Internet Advantage (worth up to 2000 EUR)
• The winner will present the app in a live webinar for the WYSE Travel Confederation community
• Plenty of free publicity and recognition for being the best app in the youth travel industry

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About WYSTC

The World Youth and Student Travel Conference brings together hundreds of delegates specialising in creating exceptional experiences for young people. From cultural exchange to volunteering and language learning, these organisations unite around the knowledge that today’s young travellers are tomorrow’s global citizens and high-yield tourists.

If you would like to register or would like more information, please visit www.wystc.org.

About WYSE Travel Confederation

WYSE Travel Confederation (www.wysetc.org) is a nonprofit membership association that supports the global youth, student and educational travel industry. It is endorsed by the UNWTO. Its annual event, the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), takes place this year 20-23 September in Barcelona.