TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In order to improve the agritourism industry in the city, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Cordillera conducted a learning event entitled Fun Farms Orientation Program: Planting the Seeds of Agritourism on December 15, 2023, at the Golden Berries Hotel.
DOT’s resource speaker Mark Costales explained that agriculture has a big potential and impact on the tourism industry, specifically if there are services and products that can be offered to both local and foreign tourists.
Costales, who also has a family farm in Laguna, cited that they are earning a lot because they are offering tour packages that include demo learning, food picking and eating, an event center, lodging, and other services.
Although there are some established agricultural learning farms in the city, he further emphasized that tourism has expanded when it comes to interest, where tourists are now engaging in experiential learning and enjoying agriculture-related activities.
He also explained that farm owners have to be accredited with the DOT and other partner agencies for better and more public engagement and to reach possible targets.
During the training, the resource speaker also tackled some concepts of farm tourism and its unique selling point, nature farms, best practices, and agritourism advantages.
He also discussed the characteristics and values of farm tourism, including the phases of the development of a farm tourism destination.
To engage the participants in agritourism, Costales explained the requirements for tourism accreditation, marketing of a tourism product, and formulation of a tour package.
As part of the business engagement, he also guided the participants in coming up with a saleable tour package that can be easily offered to tourists of all ages. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
