It’s mixed messages these days from both startups and investors in travel as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis and issues around diversity and inclusion. Saniya Shah, co-founder and CEO of Pilota – one of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Startups for 2020 – says her company is launching a new product next week known as Fly Safe, which will enable travelers to compare flights and itineraries based on the “disruption, health and safety factors that matter to them.”

And Plug and Play managing partner for travel and hospitality Amir Amidi says he sees opportunities for startups that can create solutions that address the immediate needs and add efficiencies. “What would the hotel occupancies be if just domestic Europeans are traveling around Europe? What would the hotel occupancy be in the U.S. if it’s just domestic travel, or in Asia? Is that market share big enough for you to have a business?”

Amidi says he is challenging his team at Plug and Play to “definitely spend more time with female founders, definitely spend more time with African-American founders, and make sure that every knowledge we have is transferred to them and make sure they are getting access to the same resources that they may not have had access to in the past.” He adds that he will not, however, invest in a company just because of the race or gender of a founder.

Source Credit: Phocus Wire