On July 5, City in my Bag, a young French start-up, won the Tourism Innovation Trophy. Sabine GOBERT, Alumni NEOMA BS (EMBA – 2011), has been behind this innovative concept for several months. Today, international opportunities are beginning to open for her and her innovative idea.

On July 5, City in my Bag, a young French start-up, won the Tourism Innovation Trophy. Sabine GOBERT, Alumni NEOMA BS (EMBA – 2011), has been behind this innovative concept for several months. Today, international opportunities are beginning to open for her and her innovative idea.

It was a great surprise when the young start-up, which saw the light of day two years ago, climbed onto the stage. City in my Bag was a real breath of fresh air during the 2018 Innovation Trophy awards. This is an internationally-recognised award with the jury made up of some of the most renowned representatives of world tourism.

“Offer participants a fun and unique family-sharing experience.” This is City in my Bag mission statement. The concept? A VisitBox that accompany visitors on a treasure hunt discovery of 12 different places in a city. A visit that reveals each city’s uniqueness through its artisans, personalities, sights etc. Behind this idea is Sabine GOBERT, a 2011 NEOMA BS graduate. “Before NEOMA I worked for big companies in the Travel and Leisure sector. Then I joined the NEOMA BS EMBA. This course allows students to take a step back and share their experience with senior professionals from a wide range of sectors, in a context of academic excellence. One of the practical exercises we had during the EMBA was to work on a business plan. I came up with the VisitBox idea which didn’t exist at the time. The idea grew and a few months after graduating I launched an unusual events company. First of all, I created a group experience concept for business travellers that I am now developing for individuals.” This has been a great success as tourists are quickly seduced by the idea. But with this award, it is now the professionals within the sector who are beginning to recognise the innovation and the potential of the idea.

A concept open to opportunities

With 4 cities already deployed (Reims, Lyon, Paris and Bordeaux), Sabine is now looking to expand internationally in Italy, Spain and Canada. “The City in my Bag strategy is based first of all on human collaboration, but also on the concrete opportunities that open up. Being at the heart of a solid network means I am able to exchange points of view on specific topics such as international development, by consulting my former NEOMA colleagues, which is a great long-term benefit.”

Find VisitBox on the website: Cityinmybag.com. Possibility of home delivery or collection on site in the city of choice.