SA Gov’t Unveils Tourism Hackathon to Connect Rural Operators to Global Markets
The Department of Tourism and the University of Cape Town launch a new hackathon this Saturday, tasking 50 students with developing digital solutions to boost visibility and access for township and rural tourism operators.
South Africa‘s Department of Tourism, in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT), will officially launch the Tourism Hackathon Challenge on Saturday, 14 November 2026. The initiative aims to harness the power of technology to solve pressing challenges within the sector, with a specific focus on empowering township and rural operators.
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, will lead the launch at UCT’s DSchool, bringing together 50 young innovators selected from public and private universities offering tourism and hospitality qualifications. These students will collaborate in teams to develop practical, technology-driven prototypes over the coming months.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2025 G20 Tourism Hackathon, this year’s challenge is themed “Community-Based Tourism and Rural Inclusion.”
The hackathon will focus on four key areas:
- Digital platforms that connect tourists with township and rural experiences;
- Online booking systems for local guides, homestays, and village experiences;
- Virtual-reality tours that highlight hidden gems; and
- Payment and financial inclusion solutions for small tourism operators.
“Investing in the sustainability of the tourism sector begins with an investment in the youth,” said Minister De Lille. “Through the hackathon, we want to build a pipeline of young talent who will not only gain digital skills, mentorship and practical experience, but who will be encouraged to pursue careers and entrepreneurship through innovation in tourism.”
Strategic Partnership
The event is part of the broader Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (TGPP) 2025–2030, designed to drive product development, job creation, and skills development. The Department has partnered with UCT and multi-sector stakeholders including CATHSSETA, the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), Future Leaders Challenge, and Geekculture to implement the program.
Minister De Lille emphasized that the collaboration leverages UCT’s expertise in design thinking, entrepreneurship, and financial technology. Beyond the competition, the Department and UCT will explore support opportunities for the top three finalists through innovation and entrepreneurship development programmes. The teams will refine their concepts ahead of a final pitching and awards event scheduled for the fourth quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (January to March 2027).
University Commitment
UCT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mosa Moshabela, welcomed the initiative as a cornerstone of the institution’s broader goals.
“The University of Cape Town is proud to enter into this three-year strategic partnership with the Department of Tourism,” Prof Moshabela said. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthening tourism through innovation, entrepreneurship and the creation of new opportunities across the sector. It also aligns with UCT’s Strategy 2030 and our commitment to advancing impactful partnerships that drive sustainable development.”
Aligning with Global Goals
The hackathon is designed to contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it advances SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting sustainable tourism that creates jobs and preserves local culture. It also supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its multi-stakeholder approach.
Media Invitation
Members of the media are invited to cover the launch.
- Date: Saturday, 14 November 2026
- Time: 08h30 for 09h20
- Venue: University of Cape Town (UCT DSchool), cnr. Woolsack & Cross Campus Rd, Rosebank, Western Cape
Media representatives must RSVP by 12h00 on Friday, 13 November 2026, by emailing szwane@tourism.gov.za or via WhatsApp on 081 267 4665.
