The country’s farm tourism industry received a significant boost as more than 300 stakeholders, industry leaders, and policymakers gathered for the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference.
The three-day event, organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Baguio City Government, also marked the launch of the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (FTSAP) 2026–2031.
In her keynote address, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the vital role of farm tourism in strengthening the country’s food and tourism ecosystem.
She noted that gastronomy begins with farms, fisheries, and communities that produce food, adding that farm tourism supports agricultural supply chains, enables direct sourcing, and ensures rural communities are integrated into the tourism value chain.
The strategic plan, developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, aims to enhance standards, infrastructure, enterprise development, and market integration for farm tourism sites nationwide.
Frasco said the DOT targets to grow the value of farm tourism to US$197 billion by 2032 under the national roadmap.
The initiative builds on Republic Act No. 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, authored by former senator Cynthia Villar.
Citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, Frasco said travel and tourism contributed US$91.8 billion to the Philippine economy in 2025, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and supporting over 11 million jobs.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong highlighted farm tourism as a key driver in building resilient upland communities, particularly in the Cordillera region where agriculture and culture are closely linked.
Meanwhile, Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president and CEO of Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport), said the industry reached a value of US$1.6 billion in 2025, underscoring its potential as a major growth engine for rural development and exports. He added that there are about 138 DOT-accredited farms nationwide that could serve as sources of export-quality products.
The conference featured panel discussions on topics such as highland coffee innovation, sustainable farm tourism, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Experts also shared insights on sustainable food systems, climate adaptation, brand storytelling, and community resilience.
One of the highlights of the event was the 5th Asian Farm Tourism Awards, which recognized outstanding entrepreneurs in the sector. Among the awardees were Charinee Chaiyochlarb of Mini Murrah Farm in Thailand and Raymond Aaron of Villa Socorro Farm in Laguna for Best Farm Tourism Enterprise.
The conference concluded with immersion tours to farm tourism sites in La Trinidad, Tuba, and Atok in Benguet.
Supporting the event were several key agencies and organizations, including the Tourism Promotions Board, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Philippine Retirement Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Airlines as the official carrier.
Since its inception in 2014 in Daet, Camarines Norte, the International Farm Tourism Conference has been held in various key destinations across the country, with the next edition set to take place in Bacolod City.
