02/12/2025

A Cross-Border Success: SITE Hackathon Sparks Innovation for Inclusive Tourism

Trieste, 26–27 November 2025 — Two days of creativity, collaboration, and international exchange marked the success of the Hackathon “Inclusive Tourism for Everyone”, held at the Urban Center of Trieste.

Organised within the framework of the SITE project (Shaping Inclusive Tourist Experiences) — co-funded by the Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 Programme — the event gathered participants from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia to co-design solutions for a more accessible and inclusive tourism experience.

Students, creatives, researchers, and professionals formed multidisciplinary teams and worked side by side to tackle real-world challenges linked to the accessibility of tourism experiences.

The hackathon was designed around the principles of Universal Design, with participants encouraged to create both digital and physical solutions to improve communication, wayfinding, and usability for people of all ages and abilities.

From inclusive navigation systems to multisensory visitor experiences and barrier-free access to tourism services, the ideas generated during the event highlighted the power of collective intelligence in addressing complex social issues. Final presentations showcased a wide range of innovative concepts, with the most promising solutions awarded by a jury of experts.

Special Thanks to Our Supporters

The success of the SITE Hackathon would not have been possible without the invaluable support of five key sponsor who actively contributed to the event’s realisation:

• Startup Turismo – for generously sponsoring the prizes and promoting innovation in inclusive tourism.
• Municipality of Trieste – for hosting the event at the Urban Center and facilitating an international atmosphere of collaboration.
• CRIBA FVG – for guiding participants with expertise in accessibility and ensuring Universal Design was central to every solution.
• PromoTurismo FVG – for linking the hackathon to the regional tourism ecosystem and encouraging meaningful connections with local stakeholders.
• INU – Istituto Nazionale di Urbanistica – for their institutional endorsement and commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban development.

Their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping a more accessible and people-centered tourism future!

A Milestone for SITE and the Italy–Croatia Programme

The hackathon perfectly embodied the mission of the SITE project: promote inclusive, sustainable tourism experiences by reducing barriers — physical, sensory, and digital — and making destinations more welcoming for all.

It also served as a powerful example of cross-border cooperation in action, bringing together diverse voices from three countries and creating lasting connections that will continue to shape the future of tourism in the Adriatic area.

The ideas developed during the Hackathon will help shape the future of accessible tourism in the years to come. Follow our social channels to stay updated on how these solutions evolve into real innovation!

📸 Explore the Highlights

A selection of photos from the SITE Hackathon is available at the end of this article. The gallery captures some of the most inspiring moments from the event — from team brainstorming and hands-on prototyping to final presentations and award celebrations.

👉 For the full photo collection, visit the dedicated gallery at the link you can find in this article. (find it on the right, or at the bottom if browsing on a smartphone).