12 February 2026
Bilbao
Third-year Tourism students have been awarded the “Ideas in Action” prize in the second edition of the “Challenges: Barakaldo Open Innovation” initiative, organised by Bilbao Metropoli 30 in collaboration with the Barakaldo City Council, through Inguralde.
The awarded project, BARAKAPP, was developed as part of the subject “Intelligent Tourism Management System”, taught by Professor Marina Abad. The proposal was created in response to the urban challenges posed by the competition, which aims to promote innovative and transformative solutions contributing to the strategic development of the city.
BARAKAPP stands out for its creativity, feasibility, and immediate applicability, as it does not require complex technical development to implement. The jury particularly valued its potential to create meeting spaces in the city, stimulate local commerce, and promote tourism, thereby helping to project a more active, participatory, and attractive image of Barakaldo.
The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, 4 February, at the Bilbao Exhibition Center, in an event recognising the talent and innovative abilities of the participating teams.
The winning team is made up of Alba Alcubilla García, Anthony Alexander Allwood Obanos, Maitane Qingchun Barrenengoa Larrinaga, Nerea Castillo Martín, Ariadna Conde García, Irene Díaz Díez, Adriana Isasi López, Lucía Letona García, Izaro Lezama Maza, Manuel Pereda Cuenca, Pablo del Río Martín and Peio Jon Uribe Rodríguez.
This recognition demonstrates the Tourism degree’s commitment to a curriculum focused on innovation, engagement with the local environment, and addressing real-world territorial challenges, reinforcing the role of students as active agents in developing proposals with social, economic, and urban impact.
