Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, May 7: Goa will host a unique two-day “Shackathon” beginning May 21, aimed at combining tourism with technology and promoting the state as a destination for startups, innovation and remote work culture.
The initiative is being organised by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Goa, and will convert beach shacks into temporary innovation hubs where entrepreneurs, students, designers and remote professionals can collaborate on solving real-world challenges.
Goa IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said the programme reflects the government’s larger vision of transforming Goa into a “work-and-leisure destination” where tourism and technology sectors complement each other.
According to officials, the Shackathon will bring together startups, innovators, digital creators and remote workers for collaborative sessions focused on technology-driven ideas and solutions.
A parallel hackathon will also be organised during the event, where participants will identify challenges and build prototype solutions in sectors such as tourism technology, sustainability, mobility and digital public services.
Officials said the initiative is also expected to strengthen Goa’s tourism economy by encouraging longer visitor stays and promoting “workation” models, particularly during the off-season tourism period.
By integrating workspaces with beachside hospitality infrastructure, the state aims to attract long-term remote professionals and digital entrepreneurs in addition to conventional tourists.
Authorities believe the initiative could provide additional business opportunities for local shack owners and small tourism operators by helping them diversify income sources and promote year-round economic activity along Goa’s coastline.
The event will also feature knowledge-sharing sessions on startups, emerging technologies and remote work trends, alongside experiential tourism activities including watersports and heritage exploration.
Industry experts noted that the concept aligns with a growing global trend where destinations are positioning themselves as hybrid ecosystems combining tourism, lifestyle and innovation infrastructure.
Officials added that if the model succeeds, Goa’s Shackathon could emerge as a template for other coastal regions looking to integrate sustainable tourism development with the digital economy.