Inspired by ECOVIP: Research Project on Students' Intention Towards Ecotourism Entrepreneurship

Inspiration from ECOViP: Research Project on Students' Intention Towards Ecotourism

Vu Hoang Bao Tran, Nguyen Ngoc Yen Nhi, Vong A Quoc Khanh, and Lu Hong Kha are third-year Tourism Management and Hospitality students at Nha Trang University. They have been active volunteers for ECOViP, participating in various activities such as Project Replication workshops, and Entrepreneurship Online courses. They also have supported disseminating information through the Faculty Youth Union Facebook page and other channels. Their efforts have significantly increased the project's visibility among their peers and within the university's Faculty of Tourism.

Inspired by the knowledge and practical experience gained from ECOViP, these students decided to undertake a challenging yet exciting scientific research project titled “Factors Influencing the Ecotourism Entrepreneurial Intentions of Tourism Students in Khanh Hoa.” They began this endeavor in December 2023, applying for university funding and undergoing rigorous evaluations by expert panels. Supported by lecturers from the Faculty of Tourism and funded by the university, they launched their research in March 2024, starting with a pilot survey of Nha Trang University students.

 

Vu Hoang Bao Tran: “ECOVIP’s workshops and online courses provide not only in-depth knowledge about entrepreneurship and innovative methods related to ecotourism but also create valuable opportunities for networking and learning from experts and professors in the field. The rich content and creative teaching methods of these online courses have been instrumental in helping us grasp fundamental concepts and apply various approaches to realize our ideas.

However, given that tourism is an intangible and high-risk venture, it is crucial to consider the motivation and factors that encourage students to take the chance to start a business. We would like to explore how education influences students and raises their awareness regarding funding and other support mechanisms. We believe two key factors can drive the success of ecotourism entrepreneurship.”

Their research aims to investigate the influence of five key factors on the intention to start an ecotourism business: (1) Ecotourism Entrepreneurship Attitude; (2) Subjective Norms; (3) Perceived Behavioral Control; (4) Entrepreneurship Education; (5) Personal Capability. Using a sample size of 200 students, the initial findings revealed that both attitude and personal capability significantly impact the intention to start an ecotourism business among tourism students at Nha Trang University.

Encouraged by these promising results, the students have submitted their manuscript to the International Conference on Economics 2024 - Digital Economy and Sustainable Development of Tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and are awaiting the final decision regarding its acceptance. Regardless of the outcome, they plan to expand their research by refining its content and conducting further surveys at other institutions in Khanh Hoa.

The entire journey, from attending an ECOViP workshop to embarking on their research project, has provided these students with invaluable experiences and potential future opportunities. Their story highlights how ECOViP can inspire and cultivate entrepreneurial aspirations among students, fostering a new generation of ecotourism entrepreneurs.