Earth-friendly organic-farming systems will again take center stage in the fifth Farm Tourism Conference and Festival organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Set at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City from October 2 to 4, the confab is themed “Improving Farm Tourism through Enrichment of Local Products and Culture”, which will focus on the country’s emerging farm-tourism sector as a driver of inclusive economic growth.
According to Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo, the conference will focus on the unique fusion of farming and tourism that will empower local communities, provide diversified income for farmers and encourage sustainable practices for food security.
“The most important effect of promoting farm tourism is the economic benefit it will bring to the farmer and to the immediate community. The rural lifestyle and cultural traditions are appreciated by guests, and the environment is sustained,” she said.
She noted it is one of the country’s sunshine industries which can be developed because of the agricultural nature of the economy, the tourism secretary said.
Delivering the keynote address is Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, author of the Farm Tourism Act of 2016 and advocate for the establishment of farm schools across the country.
Tourism Undersecretary Silvino Tejada and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona will also deliver keynote speeches that will spell out the government’s policy directions.
Tejada the heads DOT’s newly created Ecotourism, Farm Tourism and Faith Tourism Advocacy portfolio which puts emphasis on the new industry sectors.
Major topics include climate change and agriculture, preserving natural and cultural heritage, opportunities in farm tourism, marketing and trading, product innovation and food security and urban-farm technology.
This year’s conference will put the spotlight on coffee, the world’s second most traded commodity. Topics include the seven Steps in coffee planting, cloning and demonstration, coffee roasting, and coffee trade.
Pandurag Taware, India’s father of agritourism, and Jemy See, managing director of Taiwan’s Global Travel Management and Consultancy, will share best practices in farm tourism in their countries.
There will also a Farmers’ Market, where fresh and locally grown agricultural produce will be on sale.
The three-day event will also visit successful farm resorts in Iloilo, such as Damires Hills, Midway Hills, Ephrathah Farm Resort and Garin Farm, which are known for their farm-to-table dining.
Agricultural establishments, such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Cente, the Regional Agro-Industrial Center and the Rice Granary Center, will also be visited.
Meanwhile, ISST President Mina T. Gabor said that the gathering will also confer the annual Lakbay Bukid Awards for the country’s farm-tourism champions.
This year’s awardees are Farm Tourism Act co-author party-list Rep. Sharon Garin of AAMBIS-OWA, Lomboy Farms proprietor Avelino Lomboy, “dragon-fruit lady” Edith Dacuycuy, and DOT Region 4A Director Rebecca Labit which has the most number of accredited farm-tourism sites.
The fifth Farm Tourism Conference and Festival is supported by the Tourism Promotions Board, Province of Iloilo, city of Iloilo and the Department of Agriculture, Petron Corp., Philippine Airlines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Automobile Association of the Philippines, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Central Philippine University and the John B. Lacson Maritime University.