Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, May 25: Goa is looking to reinvent itself from a traditional holiday hotspot into a major workation and digital innovation hub through its first-ever “Goa Shackathon”, an initiative aimed at attracting startups, freelancers, creators and remote workers.

Held at Baga Beach, the two-day event transformed beach shacks usually associated with tourism into collaborative workspaces where participants attended meetings overlooking the Arabian Sea, joined AI workshops, networked with entrepreneurs and explored the future of remote work.

The initiative was organised by the Goa government as part of its push to position the coastal state as a preferred destination for digital nomads and tech-driven professionals.

Rohan A. Khaunte, Goa’s Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications and Tourism, said the state is seeking to move beyond conventional tourism.

“Goa is moving beyond traditional tourism to build a robust, future-ready digital economy. By supporting creators, digital nomads and tech startups, we are ensuring Goa becomes the preferred sandbox for the future of work in the country,” he said.

The event featured sessions on artificial intelligence, robotics, multimedia tools, communication and voice modulation, blending technology discussions with the lifestyle appeal of Goa.

One of the key attractions was a live session with humanoid robot Nino, presented by Akanksha Anand of Sirena Technologies.

Panel discussions also focused on the concept of “Designing from Goa”, highlighting how the state’s creative ecosystem is encouraging entrepreneurs and designers to build businesses locally rather than relocating to metropolitan cities.

Deepak Pathania said the initiative allowed professionals to combine productivity with leisure.

“Seeing an office-like environment thriving inside a casual beach shack is going to surprise and inspire people,” he said.

For entrepreneur Raghav Chaudhry, who recently shifted his startup from Uttar Pradesh to Goa, the event reaffirmed his decision to relocate.

“I’ve met so many wonderful people who are going to be incredibly helpful in our journey to build ethical, compliant AI,” he said.

The Goa government believes remote workers and digital nomads can contribute more steadily to the local economy than short-term tourists, as they tend to stay longer and spend more consistently.

While Goa already offers climate, connectivity and lifestyle advantages, officials acknowledge that building year-round infrastructure and a sustainable ecosystem for remote professionals will be key to making the vision successful.