DOT Region 2 Conducts Farm Tourism Workshop
The Department of Tourism Region 02 led a Farm Tourism Strategic Action Planning (FTSAP) Workshop program last January 29, 2019in Tuguegarao City. Regional Director Virgilio M. Maguigad welcomed the participants by giving updates on the performance and activities of the region.Director Maguigad stressed that it is important to identify and establish the potential growth of farm tourism by crafting a FTSAP for the region.
The Republic Act 10816 also known as Farm Tourism Act of 2016 identifies the importance of agriculture in producing food and products to sustain one’s life and a source of income for farmers and fisher folks through tourism activities.
Farm tourism in the Philippines communicates the value of agriculture in economic and cultural development. It promotes environment-friendly, efficient and sustainable farm tourism activities.
The FTSAP is anchored in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) and shall cover areas of concern like investment promotion and financing; market research, trends, innovations, and information; accreditation of farm tourism camps; market promotion and development; agriculture and fishery research, development and extension; institutional and human resource development; and infrastructure support.
The workshop on the development of Strategic Action Planningwas conducted with the expertise of Julie Pearl Brion of Joint-process Planning and Business Systems (JPBS).
Participants from Local Government Units and private sectors were able to share inputs on how to develop farm tourism in the region and lay down possibilities and approaches for our farmers, agricultural workers and fisher folks.
In closing, Director Maguigad said that DOT undertakesTraining, Regulation and Accreditation, Product Development as well asPromotion and Marketing which results to diversified tourism products and experiences for visitors in the region.