Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Al Jabal Al Akhdar: The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) has successfully concluded the inaugural edition of the Omran Hackathon, marking a significant milestone in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within Oman’s tourism sector.
Organised in strategic partnership with the Oman Across Ages Museum, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and several Oman Investment Authority entities, and executed by Al Jabr Mena, the event showcased a collaborative approach to tackling key challenges in tourism and related industries like energy, logistics, environment, and others.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E Halima Rashid al-Zari, Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, in the presence of Mr. Al Muatasim bin Said Al Sariry, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Omran Group, and Dr. Hashil bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of the Group, at the Al Jabal Al Akhdar’s Naseem DusitD2 Resort.
The hackathon kicked-off with an intensive bootcamp held on December 14th at the Oman Across Ages Museum. Out of over 400 applicants, 100 participants were selected to form 20 teams. During the boot camp, they underwent intensive training sessions. After rigorous evaluation, only 8 teams were selected to advance to the final stage, which took place from December 19 to 21 at the Naseem DusitD2 Resort in Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
Participants completed their projects under the guidance of a panel of experts and mentors from various sectors. The final ideas were then presented to a judging panel composed of experts and specialists.
The closing ceremony witnessed the crowning of the winners of the first places, which were as follows: first place went to the “Beyond” team, whose project focused on designing an intelligent tourism platform that utilizes VR and AR technologies, targeting primarily the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, the “Walk” team secured second place, crowned for their project that employs AI to assist visitors in exploring destinations and tourist experiences. The third place was awarded to the “Hydro-X” team, which presented innovative solutions that contribute to reducing water waste through the use of advanced leak detection technologies.
Additionally, the “Janainah” team received a special award presented by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, whose project focused on developing a digital platform that serves as a smart technical reference and personal assistant for every farmer, facilitating farmers’ access to the latest information and remote consultations on various crop cultivation methods.
Highlighting the significance of this milestone, Kawthar Said Al Amrani, Research, Development & Innovation Lead at Omran Group, stated: “The Omran Hackathon has served as a dynamic platform to cultivate creativity and empower national talent in developing sustainable, impactful solutions for Oman’s tourism landscape. It reflects our commitment to shaping a future where innovation and sustainability drive the growth of tourism in the Sultanate’.
She added, ‘We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate for their support in making the first edition of the hackathon a resounding success. Their efforts have been instrumental in identifying the most pressing challenges facing the tourism sector in the governorate, which the participants have worked diligently to address’. Mohammed Salim Al Wahibi, CEO of Al Jabr, commented: “Collaborating with Omran Group on this initiative highlights our shared vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the Sultanate. The exceptional ideas presented by participants showcase the potential of Omani talent to address industry challenges through sustainable and forward-thinking solutions. Events like these are instrumental in building a vibrant ecosystem that supports economic and social progress.”
Mohammed Said Al Maashani, the leader of the first-place team, shared his experience, stating, ‘Being part of the Omran Hackathon was a transformative experience. The guidance we received from mentors and industry experts enabled us to refine our ideas into actionable projects. This journey has instilled in us the confidence and determination to pursue innovation and contribute meaningfully to Oman’s tourism sector.’
The inaugural Omran Hackathon represents a significant step toward fostering a culture of innovation in Oman’s sustainable tourism sector. With the continued support of strategic partners and industry experts, participants are poised to advance their ideas into actionable projects that will drive growth and innovation across tourism and related industries.
Through this event, Omran Group reaffirms its commitment to enhancing Oman’s position as a world-class tourism destination that blends authentic heritage with sustainable innovation.
