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9th International Farm Tourism Conference in Baguio Boosts Farm Tourism

Farm tourism gets major boost at Baguio international confab

The country’s expanding farm tourism sector received a significant boost when more than 300 stakeholders and policymakers gathered in Baguio City for the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference.

Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the City Government of Baguio, the conference also launched the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (FTSAP) 2026–2031, which DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted in her keynote speech.

“Gastronomy begins with our farms, our fisheries, and the communities that produce the food that defines our national table. Farm tourism reinforces this pillar by strengthening agricultural supply chains, enabling direct sourcing, and ensuring that rural communities are embedded within the tourism value chain,” the tourism chief said.

Created in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, the plan aims to enhance standards, infrastructure, enterprise development, and market integration for farm tourism sites nationwide.

Frasco mentioned that the DOT, via the FTSAP national roadmap, intends to increase the value of farm tourism to US$197 billion by 2032.

The plan mentioned is derived from Republic Act No. 10816, known as the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, authored by former Senator Cynthia Villar.

She noted that, according to World Travel and Tourism Council data, travel and tourism added US$91.8 billion to the Philippine economy in 2025, accounting for nearly 20 percent of GDP and supporting over 11 million jobs.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that farm tourism can serve as a valuable tool for strengthening upland communities’ resilience and adding more attractions to the Cordilleras, highlighting the strong link between agriculture and culture.

Furthermore, Philexport president and CEO Sergio Ortiz-Luis stated that the country’s farm tourism industry was valued at US$1.6 billion in 2025. This demonstrates that it is not merely a niche market but also a significant driver of rural development and exports.

He noted that, based on statistics from the Philippine Exporter’s Confederation, the archipelago has approximately 138 farms accredited by the DOT, representing a potential source of export goods.

The three-day conference featured panel discussions on highland coffee innovation, traditions and technology, the six pillars of sustainable farm tourism, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Additional scientific and technical contributions covered sustainable food systems, brand storytelling and marketing, climate adaptation, resilient community building, and upland freshwater technologies.

A key highlight of the conference was the fifth Asian Farm Tourism Awards (AFTA) Night, where exceptional local and Asian entrepreneurs were recognized for their innovative initiatives.

Charinee Chaiyochlarb of Mini Murrah Farm in Thailand and Raymond Aaron of Villa Socorro Farm from Pagsanjan, Laguna, were awarded Best Farm Tourism Enterprise.

Agus Wibowo from Indonesia’s PT-Agro-Lestari-Merbabu was awarded Outstanding Youth Entrepreneur. Meanwhile, Tariq Tanveer, CEO of Agri Tourism Development Corp. of Pakistan, and Fang Tzu Wei, chairman of The Morning Market in Taiwan, received the Outstanding Farm Tourism Advocate award.

The three-day event concluded with guided tours to prominent farm tourism locations in the nearby towns of La Trinidad, Tuba, and Atok in Benguet.

The conference is sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Philexport, Philippine Retirement Authority, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Trade and Industry, with Philippine Airlines serving as the official carrier.

ISST held its inaugural Farm Tourism Conference in 2014 in Daet, Camarines Norte, and since then, it has traveled to major cities nationwide including Tagaytay, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, and General Santos. The next edition is scheduled to be hosted by Bacolod City.

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9th International Farm Tourism Conference in Baguio Boosts Farm Tourism

Melo Villareal

Out of Town Blog

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