Invest & partner
From destination management to airlines and travel agencies: travel that creates value where it happens
I started in tourism and never really left: a travel startup in Damascus, a master’s degree in tourism innovation in Salzburg, GCC guests in the Alps, EXPO 2015, intercultural city walks. Today travel is being redesigned by AI, climate and new travellers from the Gulf and the diaspora. I am looking for partners and investors who want to build what comes next.
Why now
Gulf families, diaspora communities searching for their roots and young experience-seekers want journeys that are meaningful, personal and well organised.
Overtourism in some places and depopulation in others call for destination management that spreads value and protects communities.
AI assistants, direct airline distribution and data are reshaping how agencies, DMOs and hotels sell and serve, and small players need tools to keep up.
Ammar Shawesh
Founder & Strategic Business Advisor, Yalla Europa (since 2016) · Managing Director, Cooperativa Impresa Sociale Ruah (since 2015)
About AmmarPublic examples from around the world, shown for inspiration. They are not my projects or clients.
Abruzzo, Italy
An “albergo diffuso” that brought a nearly abandoned medieval village back to life by turning its historic houses into a hotel spread across the village.
Lesson: Heritage and community can become the product, not the backdrop.
Newfoundland, Canada
A hotel owned by the charity Shorefast, which reinvests surpluses in the island community and works with local craftspeople.
Lesson: Ownership models decide who benefits from tourism.
Copenhagen, Denmark
A city pilot that rewards visitors for sustainable choices, such as cycling or helping clean the harbour, with free experiences.
Lesson: Destinations can design incentives, not only marketing.
Iceland
An airline programme that lets transatlantic passengers stop in Iceland for several days at no extra airfare, which helped build Iceland as a destination.
Lesson: Airlines and destinations grow faster when they design products together.
Saudi Arabia
A heritage destination developed around Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, with a long-term plan for culture, nature and community.
Lesson: Gulf countries are investing in destination management, and they look for know-how and partners.
Business angel, investor or looking for a partner?
Stage: Concept
Experience-led, regenerative travel products that combine culture, community and personal growth for European and Gulf travellers.
Looking for: Tour operators, hotels, DMCs, and investors in experience travel.
Let’s talkStage: Pilot-ready
Roots travel for diaspora descendants, designed with communities, with clear restitution to the places visited, as described in “Le radici non sono il passato”.
Looking for: Diaspora associations, airlines, local cooperatives and impact investors.
Let’s talkStage: Concept
Family travel products for Gulf guests in the Italian and Austrian Alps and lakes: cultural adaptation, Arabic service, halal-friendly hospitality and stopover packages with airlines.
Looking for: Hotels, airlines, Gulf travel agencies and family offices.
Let’s talkStage: Concept
An AI-powered multilingual assistant (Arabic and European languages) with a CRM for small travel agencies and DMCs, to sell, follow up and serve guests better.
Looking for: A tech partner, agency pilots, and seed investment.
Let’s talkInvesting together in a new company (NewCo) or special-purpose vehicle for a specific venture, with clear governance.
Building a product or market with an industrial, tourism or tech partner who brings capabilities and distribution.
Companies fund a pilot linked to their ESG, CSR or innovation goals and get first access to the results.
Foundations, impact funds and public programmes share risk with private investors to make social and environmental projects viable.
Gulf family offices and companies co-invest and open their markets; European partners bring know-how.
I join your board or advisory team in these fields, or invite you to join a venture’s advisory board.
Invest & partner
Tell me who you are and what you are looking for. I reply personally within a few working days, usually with a proposal for a call.
This page presents business ideas and partnership opportunities for preliminary discussion with qualified counterparties. It is not a public offer of financial products, securities or investments, nor investment advice. Any collaboration or investment will be agreed privately, after due diligence and in compliance with applicable law. Examples of third-party organisations are public and shown for inspiration only.
