Focus on the Open Data Engagement Fund- Open Data Tourism Innovation Showcase Awards

Dublin has been awarded the 2024 European Capital of Smart Tourism. This designation is a recognition of the city’s commitment to deliver a greener, more accessible, inclusive and innovative Dublin, for both our visitors and locals alike. As part of the program of events for the year, Dublin City Council’s Tourism Unit and Smart Dublin, facilitated an Open Data Tourism Innovation Showcase. The initiative aims to develop innovative tourism concepts and showcase the power of Open Data. Contestants were shortlisted and went through two rounds of coaching before they were selected to present their Open Data tourism innovation in person.  At the showcase event in the CHQ building in Dublin, the shortlisted participants pitched their ideas to a panel of four judges. After much deliberation, the judges awarded prize funds to the following participants;

1st Place: Dublin Biodiversity Explorer – Pat Ryan

A unique web platform that used biodiversity and tree survey data to build green trails and routes around the city and our UNESCO Bay Biosphere.

2nd Place: Ride and Refresh – Anjana Sasanka Wedage 

An app which combines public restroom data and public water fountain data to help you plan your cycling route and to assist local authorities address critical gaps in infrastructure.

3rd Place: Dublin Explorer – Shivani Bhardwaj & Vineet Paulson 

A web based platform which used google maps API, Fáilte Ireland data and MET weather data to build unique itineraries with a minimum carbon footprint.

Funding for this initiative was provided by the Open Data unit within the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as part of their Open Data Engagement Fund.  The initiative successfully highlighted the power of Open Data and specifically the ability of Open Data innovations to drive sustainable tourism across the Dublin region.

Author Jack Kavanagh