Khaberni - Under the patronage and presence of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Imad Hijazin, Orange Jordan, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on December 3, announced the winners of the "Digital Solutions Hackathon in the Tourism Sector for Persons with Disabilities," launched in conjunction with the World Tourism Day, as part of its efforts to foster innovation and enable persons with disabilities to fully participate in the tourism experience, under its innovative initiatives within the "Different Abilities, Assured Capabilities" campaign aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and empowering all members of society.
The hackathon attracted notable interest from university students, receiving 115 applications presenting innovative ideas and digital solutions aimed at incorporating persons with disabilities into the tourism sector. Seven teams were selected to participate in an intensive training camp supervised by elite experts from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, along with an IT technology specialist, and the Orange Jordan team, which provided specialized training on services offered by the Digital Manufacturing Lab and the Programming Academy, under the Orange Digital Center.
The training camp addressed several main topics, including: Disability and integration, Tourism and opening opportunities in Jordan, Assistive technologies, as well as presentation and pitching skills, aiming to equip participants with the best tools and skills to develop innovative digital solutions that contribute to enhancing inclusive tourism and overcoming challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Dr. Imad Hijazin, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized the importance of employing digital solutions to enhance inclusive tourism and enable persons with disabilities to experience a comprehensive tourism journey, noting that innovation is a fundamental pillar in the development of the tourism sector, especially when it contributes to improving services to meet the needs of all community segments.
Dr. Hijazin added that supporting youth and creative ideas contributes to creating applicable solutions on the ground, enhancing the competitiveness of the sector and supporting the path to sustainable tourism development in Jordan.
Philip Mansour, the CEO of Orange Jordan, emphasized that the hackathon represents an exceptional convergence point between World Tourism Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming the company's commitment to inclusive innovation. He added that the digital inclusion program, which focuses on accessibility to digital services for everyone, awareness raising, promoting a culture of inclusion, a diverse work environment, and active partnership with the local community, transforms the pillars of the program into practical and tangible impact. By enhancing digital solutions in the tourism sector, this initiative confirms that inclusive tourism is not just an option but a necessity, as it enables persons with disabilities and eases challenges to allow everyone to enjoy Jordan's heritage, culture, and natural beauty.
At the conclusion of the hackathon events, Orange Jordan announced the names of the teams that won the top three places, where the team through everyone's eyes won the first place, the team Jordan 360 came in second, and the team Heritage that can be touched, heard, and seen came in third. This recognition commends the innovative digital solutions presented by these teams, reflecting a deep understanding of the needs of persons with disabilities and the capability of employing technology to provide more inclusive and high-quality tourism experiences in Jordan.
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