Panaji, May 7 (BNP): Goa is set to host a unique two-day “Shackathon” from May 21, an initiative designed to merge tourism with technology and position the state as a hub for remote work, startups, and coastal innovation.
The programme, organised by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Goa, will transform beach shacks into temporary innovation spaces where entrepreneurs, students, designers, and remote professionals can collaborate on real-world problem solving.
Goa IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said the initiative reflects a broader vision of developing Goa into a “work-and-leisure destination,” where tourism and technology ecosystems grow together rather than independently.
According to officials, the Shackathon will bring together startups, innovators, digital creators, and remote workers for collaborative sessions focused on building technology-driven solutions. A parallel hackathon will also be conducted, where participants will identify challenges and develop prototype solutions in areas such as tourism tech, sustainability, mobility, and digital services.
Beyond innovation, the initiative is expected to directly support Goa’s tourism economy by extending visitor stays and promoting off-season travel through “workation” models. By integrating workspaces with beachside hospitality, the state aims to attract long-term remote professionals rather than short-term tourists alone.
Officials believe this approach could help local shack owners and small tourism businesses diversify their income streams, while also encouraging year-round economic activity along the coastline.
The event will also include knowledge-sharing sessions on startups, emerging technologies, and remote work culture, along with experiential tourism activities such as watersports and heritage exploration.
Industry observers say the initiative reflects a growing global trend where destinations are repositioning themselves as hybrid ecosystems combining tourism, lifestyle, and innovation infrastructure.
If successful, Goa’s Shackathon model could serve as a blueprint for other coastal regions aiming to connect digital economy growth with sustainable tourism development.
