With beer, fish and shacks, CM moves to attract digital nomads

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday launched Goa’s first shackathon, saying the state wants to attract startups, creators, digital nomads and innovators from all over India by promoting a work-from-beach culture.

Sawant said younger people were seeking flexibility, creativity and purpose alongside work, and that many were moving beyond traditional jobs to build startups, brands and careers. He said Goa, once viewed only as a tourist destination, was creating opportunities for people to stay longer, work remotely and build ventures while strengthening its startup ecosystem.

“Along with beer and fish, people can also work from the beach,” Sawant said, adding that such initiatives could help draw people, particularly from the IT sector and startup sector. He said Gen Z “like to work from the beach” and described the shackathon as being for Gen Z.

IT minister Rohan Khaunte said the work-from-home culture could become “work from Goa”, noting that during Covid many people began staying in Goa and delivering from Goa, particularly from the creative community. He said Goa was showcasing a work-from-beach culture where technology and tourism complement each other, allowing startups, innovators and founders to work while enjoying Goa’s beaches, food and activities.

Khaunte said the aim was to create a culture for digital nomads to come to Goa, stay in a homestay, support local communities and work from shacks at their leisure.

During the event, fishermen Pele appealed to Sawant to give relaxation to fishermen houses located along the beach under CRZ norms. Sawant said provisions were available to safeguard them and said, “We will protect all the fishermen’s houses. Don’t worry.”