(SPOT.ph) We've got a spectacular number of beaches, mountains, dive spots, historical areas, and even roads to explore—but have you ever thought of going to a farm for some R&R? Our country is fast becoming a leading agri-tourism destination—at par with the lush lands of California, Hawaii, and Brazil—and the Department of Tourism is looking to bank on this.
In a push to propel farm tourism in the Philippines forward, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has released the Implementing Rules and Regulations for Republic Act 10816 a.k.a. the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016. Under this initiative, the DOT will put more focus in developing farms and agricultural sites as a prime destination for tourists.
So far, there are 174 farm tourism sites around the Philippines, and the department is expecting to accredit more destinations soon. Plus, around 31 farm tourism sites are right in the CALABARZON area (Region IV-A), so your dreams of a laid-back weekend in a vast farm aren't far from becoming reality.
"Farm tourism holds the promise of food sufficiency and additional income for our tourism stakeholders, including farmers, farm workers and fisherfolk," said (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during a Farm Tourism Summit held this week. This fresh push towards "low-impact tourism," which focuses on sustainable travel, sounds like a step in the right direction.Â
