Omran Group Concludes First Hackathon, Boosting Innovation in Oman’s Tourism Sector
Al Jabal Al Akhdar, The Gulf Observer: The Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) has successfully concluded the first edition of the Omran Hackathon, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Oman’s tourism sector.
Held in strategic partnership with the Oman Across Ages Museum, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and several entities under the Oman Investment Authority, and executed by Al Jabr Mena, the hackathon aimed to address key challenges in tourism and related industries, including energy, logistics, and the environment. The event showcased a collaborative approach to innovation in Oman’s tourism industry.
The closing ceremony, held at the Naseem DusitD2 Resort in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, was attended by notable figures, including H.E. Halima Rashid al-Zari, Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority; Mr. Al Muatasim bin Said Al Sariry, Deputy Chairman of Omran Group’s Board of Directors; and Dr. Hashil bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of Omran Group.
The hackathon kicked off with an intensive bootcamp at the Oman Across Ages Museum on December 14th, where over 400 applicants were narrowed down to 100 participants, forming 20 teams. These teams received training sessions and mentorship before advancing to the final stage held from December 19 to 21 at the Naseem DusitD2 Resort. Participants collaborated with experts to develop innovative solutions for Oman’s tourism sector.
The final presentations were evaluated by a panel of experts, and the winners were announced at the closing ceremony. The “Beyond” team took first place for their project, an intelligent tourism platform utilizing VR and AR technologies aimed at the Chinese market. The “Walk” team secured second place with their AI-driven platform designed to assist visitors in exploring tourist destinations. Third place went to the “Hydro-X” team, which presented solutions for reducing water waste through advanced leak detection technologies.
A special award was presented to the “Janainah” team by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate for their project, a digital platform that serves as a smart technical reference and personal assistant for farmers, offering remote consultations and access to information on crop cultivation methods.
Kawthar Said Al Amrani, Research, Development & Innovation Lead at Omran Group, emphasized the importance of the hackathon in empowering national talent and developing sustainable solutions for Oman’s tourism landscape. She expressed gratitude to the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate for their support and noted that the event contributed to identifying critical challenges in the tourism sector.
Mohammed Salim Al Wahibi, CEO of Al Jabr, highlighted the shared vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Oman, noting the exceptional ideas presented by participants. He stressed the importance of events like the Omran Hackathon in building a vibrant ecosystem that supports both economic and social progress.
Mohammed Said Al Maashani, leader of the first-place team, reflected on his experience, stating that the mentorship and industry expertise gained during the event had been transformative, instilling confidence to contribute meaningfully to Oman’s tourism sector.
The inaugural Omran Hackathon represents a significant step in promoting a culture of innovation within Oman’s sustainable tourism sector. With continued support from strategic partners, the participants are poised to advance their ideas into impactful projects that will drive growth and innovation in tourism and related industries. Through this event, Omran Group reaffirms its commitment to enhancing Oman’s position as a leading global tourism destination that blends authentic heritage with sustainable innovation.
