Club Escapade has won the 2025 ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle, hosted in partnership with Intelak, standing out among top travel start-ups in the region for its innovative approach and potential to disrupt the industry.
The live competition unfolded on the ATM Future Stage, where Club Escapade captivated judges and attendees alike with its exclusive membership model and innovative weekly drop system. The platform enables demand-driven bookings by offering private, time-limited rates on unoccupied luxury hotel rooms—boosting occupancy while preserving brand prestige.
This year’s Pitch Battle saw over 40 entries from travel start-ups across the region. Finalists included ChatDMC, Penguinpass, SparkleHaze (Woohoo), TravStack, and WROXAI.
During his pitch, Soufiane Alimi, Founder and CEO of Club Escapade, highlighted how the company is helping luxury hoteliers optimise occupancy during off-peak periods. “Our mission is to support high-end hotels in filling vacant rooms without compromising their brand image. We cater to UAE residents and locals who desire spontaneous, luxury staycations but often lack the time to plan. Our exclusive membership structure and themed weekly drops generate excitement and drive high-value bookings. With a commission-based model and no upfront cost to hotels, we deliver value for both guests and hoteliers,” Alimi explained.
The Pitch Battle, presented by Sabre, is a key initiative within Arabian Travel Market’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Open to pre-seed and seed-stage start-ups, the competition provides a platform for emerging businesses to showcase groundbreaking products, services, and technologies that are reshaping the travel and tourism industry.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, commented:
“Congratulations to Club Escapade, our 2025 Start-Up Pitch Battle winner. Their model represents the kind of innovative thinking driving transformation across the travel industry. The Pitch Battle is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad for game-changing ideas that will help define the future of travel. The quality of entries this year has been exceptional, and we look forward to seeing what the next generation of pioneers will bring.”
Finalists were reviewed by a panel of expert judges including representatives from Intelak, Ismail Issa (Head of AI & Web3 at Emirates), and Hassan Qannati (Head of Business Development at Sabre).
To further empower emerging businesses, all shortlisted start-ups were given complimentary exhibition space in ATM 2025’s new Start-Up and Innovation Zone, where they could showcase their solutions and network with industry leaders.
ATM 2025, the largest edition in its history, concludes today after four days of engaging discussions, cutting-edge innovation, and valuable networking across the global travel ecosystem.
