THE FHS WORLD HACKATHON

The Challenge:

Reset. Reinvent. Reimagine What's Next for UAE Tourism

The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s leading tourism and hospitality destinations. As global travel patterns, traveller priorities and technology continue to evolve, the opportunity is to rethink what comes next.

How can the UAE use this moment to reset and reinvent its tourism proposition, unlocking new markets, new audiences, new experiences and new reasons to visit?

As part of the hackathon, teams will identify one significant untapped opportunity and turn it into a bold, commercially viable concept for the UAE tourism and hospitality ecosystem. Teams move through a structured journey - from spotting the opportunity to pitching a jury-ready concept, articulated around the following points:

1. Opportunity: What new or untapped opportunity has been identified?
2. Idea: What should the UAE do differently?
3. Audience: Who is it designed to attract or serve?
4. Value: How could it benefit UAE tourism and hospitality?
5. Business Case: Why could it work commercially?
6. Path Forward: Who needs to be involved to bring it to life?

How It Works:

The Hackathon Journey

All applications coming in through the registration form undergo a review by the organisers. Once shortlisted, applicants will be placed in teams that will then work through the following process at the conference:

1. Reset & Identify the Opportunity (30 min) - Teams look at what's changing in global tourism, question old assumptions, and spot an untapped opportunity for the UAE.
2. Reinvent & Select (45 min) - Teams generate possible solutions and pick one strong concept to run with.
3. Build the Concept (60 min) - Teams develop the core idea: what it is, who it's for, why it's different, and how it creates value and commercial viability for the UAE.
4. Mentor Stress Test (30 min) - Industry mentors challenge the concept on investment, operations, technology, and design - teams refine based on feedback.
5. Build the Pitch (60 min) - Teams shape their final pitch around: The Shift → The Opportunity → The Reinvention → The Concept → The Value → Why Now?
6. Final Pitches & Jury (45 min) - Teams present to an expert jury; the jury and FHS World audience vote to select the winning concept.