FOR designing an application to boost tourism in the province of Batanes, students of the University of Santo Tomas were honored for having the best destination marketing plan by the Youth for Tourism and Hospitality International Conference 2021.

Tourism majors Tricia Li, Moira San Juan, Uan Llaneta, Ricalyn Shimosawa and Yaira Laboy bested 17 entries from 12 universities.

Their marketing plan proposed the launch of the mobile application called “Batanes IvaTrack.”

“The destination marketing plan can be a guide on how Batanes can plan the resumption of tourism activities,” Arnulfo Butiong, the group adviser, said.

“The application would highlight the cultural heritage of Batanes and promote workation destinations and bubble tourism,” he added.

The team was mentored by College of Tourism and Hospitality Management faculty members Aristotle Chico and Sarah Po.

Meanwhile, Thomasian learners Marie Tayco, Aaliyah Senaca and Gabriel Echevarria won first-runner up in the travel vlog competition with their seven-minute video featuring Boracay.

The Youth for Tourism and Hospitality International Conference was organized by the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism Association of Alumni and UP AIT student-volunteers.