DOT Pledges Support for Rural Development and Farm Tourism
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting farm tourism as a way to boost rural development while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco shared this commitment during the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference held in Baguio City on March 4. She emphasized that tourism success should not only be measured by the number of visitors but also by how it benefits communities and protects the environment.
According to Frasco, the goal is to promote growth that strengthens rural livelihoods, preserves natural landscapes, and ensures that local communities benefit from tourism development.
She also highlighted the importance of agriculture in tourism, explaining that farm tourism connects travelers with the country’s food, culture, and natural environment. “Gastronomy begins with our farms, fisheries, and the communities that produce the food that defines our national table,” she said.
The conference gathered farm operators, policymakers, development partners, and tourism stakeholders from both local and international sectors. Discussions focused on how farm tourism can create more livelihood opportunities while allowing visitors to experience authentic Filipino culture and food traditions.
Frasco’s statement follows the recent launch of the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (FTSAP) 2026–2031, which aims to improve farm tourism destinations across the country by strengthening standards, infrastructure, enterprise development, and market connections.
Based on data from the DOT, around 17.1 percent of spending by international visitors in the Philippines goes to food and beverage services, showing the strong link between tourism and agriculture.
Globally, agritourism is expected to grow significantly and could reach USD 197 billion by 2032, as more travelers look for authentic cultural and food experiences rooted in local communities.
Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that responsible agrotourism initiatives can help farmers while protecting the environment and improving climate resilience in the region.
“Farm and tourism go hand in hand and can be a powerful tool for building resilient communities,” Magalong said.
The DOT is also working closely with the Department of Agriculture to support farm tourism through programs that improve farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities, cold chain logistics, and product development. These initiatives help connect farms directly with tourism establishments.
In addition, infrastructure programs are helping improve access to rural tourism destinations. Through the Tourism Champions Challenge, the DOT has already provided PHP255 million in funding during its first cycle and nearly PHP400 million in the second cycle to local governments implementing tourism development projects, many of which focus on rural and farm tourism.
Farm landscapes, local cuisine, and cultural heritage are also being highlighted through the Philippine Experience Program, which promotes tourism routes in regions such as Iloilo, Pampanga, the Cordilleras, Bukidnon, Davao, and Sultan Kudarat.
To further strengthen the tourism workforce, the DOT has trained more than 412,000 individuals under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence program and over 127,000 people through the Tourism Industry Skills Program, many of whom come from rural communities where agriculture and tourism intersect.
Frasco emphasized that preparing destinations for tourism growth requires more than promotion. It also involves investing in people, supporting local businesses, and protecting the natural landscapes that sustain tourism.
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