University News

Sustainable Travel Gets Inclusive through Eco-Coco

John Dee Gonos, News, Technology Business Incubation and Development Office (TBIDO)

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is home to bold and inspiring voices like Keith Centeno—the visionary founder behind Eco-Coco, a sustainable travel platform bridging tourism, community empowerment, and inclusive development.

As one of the promising incubatees under the PUP PYLON Technology Business Incubator (TBI), Keith is redefining what it means to travel with purpose. With their startup, Eco-Coco, they have created more than just a tourism service as they have built a movement. One that champions eco-conscious exploration, uplifts off-the-radar communities, and reimagines tourism as a tool for economic inclusion and cultural preservation.

Eco-Coco is not your typical travel platform. Unlike conventional booking sites, this web-based system works closely with underrepresented local communities, many of whom have limited digital access. Through partnerships with community-based tourism groups, Eco-Coco offers curated, eco-friendly experiences: from sustainable tours, traditional culinary journeys, to intimate cultural immersions. Every booking on the platform directly contributes to local livelihoods, preserves heritage, and ensures that the beauty of the Philippines’ “best-kept secrets” is shared responsibly.

“Travel should not just be about what we take in, it should also be about what we give back,” says Keith. “Eco-Coco is our way of making sure that travel works for the people in communities far from the mainstream tourism hotspots, especially those who have long been left behind by technological innovations.”

As a proud queer student from the College of Tourism, Hospitality, and Transportation Management (CTHTM), Keith’s journey also breaks boundaries in an industry where diversity in leadership is still emerging. Their leadership not only reflects their passion for inclusive tourism but also empowers fellow queer individuals to dream big, lead boldly, and build solutions rooted in empathy and equity. Their presence in both the startup space and the LGBTQ+ community is a testament to the power of visibility. Through Eco-Coco, Keith is building safe spaces not only for travelers and communities but also for queer founders in the tourism and tech sectors.

Through the support of PUP PYLON TBI and TBIDO, Eco-Coco has grown from concept to an emerging enterprise. The startup received technical mentoring, business development guidance, and access to networks and platforms that have helped refine their business model and connect with early adopters and investors.

Keith’s story exemplifies the very mission of university-based incubation: transforming student ideas into market-ready innovations that create social impact, which supports Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).