The Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU-B) officially launched its Ecotourism Hub on June 10, 2024, marking a key milestone in the implementation of the ECOViP (Enhancing Capacities for Sustainable Value Creation in Tourism in Vietnam and the Philippines) project. The initiative aims to strengthen innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in tourism education.
Located at Room 103, Upper Ground Level of the SHL Building, the Ecotourism Hub was conceptualized as early as April 2024 to serve as a collaborative space for students, faculty, and industry partners. It is designed to support entrepreneurial activities, particularly for students developing business ideas and participating in innovation-driven programs such as bootcamps and pitching competitions.
The formal launch took place following the university’s pitching competition, where participants, faculty members, and invited industry partners gathered to witness the unveiling of the facility. The event was led by the ECOViP LPU-Batangas team under the leadership of Dr. Maribeth Buenviaje, with Dr. Hazel Venus presenting the hub’s purpose, features, and role in advancing the project’s objectives.
Prior to its official launch, the hub had already been introduced to selected student participants during a bootcamp orientation on April 17, 2024. At that time, around 40 students from Tourism, Biology, Computer Science, and Business Administration programs were oriented on how they could utilize the hub as a venue for brainstorming, collaboration, and business development.
The June 10 launch expanded participation to include faculty members, university administrators, and external stakeholders. Among the invited guests were representatives from the Batangas Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, LPU-Laguna, local resort owners from San Juan, Batangas, and a sales pitching trainer. In total, the event gathered 57 participants, highlighting strong multi-sectoral engagement.
During the launch, attendees were given a walkthrough of the hub’s facilities and equipment, which are available for academic and entrepreneurial use. The hub was positioned as a vital space for fostering innovation, particularly for students preparing for competitions such as the ECOViP bootcamp scheduled later in July 2024.
Feedback from stakeholders underscored the hub’s potential as a venue for seminars, collaborative projects, and hybrid learning activities. Suggestions were also raised to further improve safety features, interior design, and communication efforts to maximize awareness and utilization across the university community.
Despite minor scheduling adjustments that affected initial plans for a formal blessing and broader promotion, the ECOViP team successfully integrated the launch into existing academic activities. Organizers acknowledged the need for stronger dissemination strategies to ensure that the hub reaches a wider audience and achieves its full potential.
The establishment of the Ecotourism Hub reflects LPU-Batangas’ commitment to providing innovative learning environments that bridge academia and industry. As a tangible output of the ECOViP project, the hub is expected to play a crucial role in nurturing future entrepreneurs and advancing sustainable tourism initiatives in the region.
To know more about ECOViP, visit their website at https://www.ecoviperasmus.eu/ or follow their Facebook Page at Ecovip Erasmus.
