The Philippine government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT), is allocating a total of PHP15 million to fund three outstanding tourism start-up projects from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao under its 2025 Tourism Start-Up Challenge.

Each winning proposal will receive PHP5 million for project implementation, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced during the program launch at Centro de Turismo Intramuros in Manila on Wednesday.

The project is in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“To ensure that the benefits of the travel tax truly advance tourism education in the country as well as promote innovation, especially amongst our youth, we are proud to launch the Tourism Start-Up Challenge,” Frasco said.

“Through this initiative, we empower students to bring forward bold ideas that can transform the future of Philippine tourism.”

School-formed groups consisting of four 3rd year to 4th year college students of any course and one adviser may submit their proposal to the CHED regional fffices from Sept. 24 to Oct. 31.

Proposals must be aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan and must include at least one of the six pillars of the grant priority areas:

1. Facilities and Demo Labs in pre-existing facilities of the school/university
2. Immersion and Career Development
3. Technology Innovation and Digitalization
4. Start-Up and Incubation Centers
5. Research and Development
6. Tourism Education & Education Tourism

All proposals will be shortlisted down to one proposal per region.

The 17 shortlisted proposals will then be given a grant of PHP250,000 to be downloaded to the respective higher education institutions, with only three sets to emerge as national winners.

People-centered approach

Senator Loren Legarda, for her part, called for a people-centered approach to tourism, stressing the need to recognize frontliners, youth innovators, and senior citizens as key drivers of inclusive growth.

Speaking during the event, Legarda said frontliners serve as cultural ambassadors, the youth bring fresh ideas through the Tourism Start-Up Challenge 2025, and senior citizens provide wisdom through the Community Tour Guiding Seminar.

“Tourism must deliver employment and income while protecting heritage and natural resources,” she said, underscoring that inclusivity and sustainability should guide tourism development. (PNA)