The tourism sector plays a significant role in the Philippine economy, with its contribution amounting to at least 12% of the GDP prior to the pandemic. With the country’s domestic tourism expenditure reaching a record-high of 61 billion US dollars last 2019, the government aims to continue this pre-pandemic momentum. The domestic tourism expenditure’s average growth rate of 17.4% (2000-2019) also indicates a strong desire of locals to explore the country's tourist spots (PSA, 2020). More importantly, the country was also proactive in diversifying tourism by introducing a game-changing support policy known as the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10816). Its key principle, among others, is the recognition of the state that “tourism, coupled with agriculture extension services, can disseminate the value of agriculture in the development of the country…” To achieve this,
In this paper, we aim to capture and unravel the complexity of rural tourism that has evolved in rural Japan since green tourism was introduced in the 1990s, with a close examination of the case of the Takachihogo–Shiibayama area. Small-scale farmers and rice farming communities have traditionally been important features of Japanese farming villages, as in other Asian countries. In this paper, we focus on how these small farmers and communities can demonstrate their autonomy in rural tourism. After reviewing the overall rural tourism situation in Japan from literature and policy documents, we illustrate that three forms of rural tourism coexist, namely, mass tourism, peasant-like, and community-based entrepreneurial rural tourism with a comparative study approach, selecting embedded cases of the study area, where we had a series of interviews and observations regularly and continuously
For many tourists, experiencing local cuisine stands out as the most appealing aspect of Indigenous tourism. Tourists primarily gather information about tourism destinations through social media, which significantly influences their decision-making process. This preliminary study delves into the imagery of Taiwan’s Indigenous food as portrayed on social media by conducting a content analysis of Google reviews for 20 businesses that specialize in Taiwan’s Indigenous cuisine. The analysis yielded seven distinct dimensions of Indigenous food imagery: Indigenous cultural features, price and portion, dining style, healthiness, flavor, dining atmosphere, and perceived service quality. Based on these findings, the study proposes empowerment and guidance strategies, encompassing the integration of wild vegetable culture, tribal itineraries, and food promotion. These strategies aim to develop
Sheila Elaine D. Silan, Edilberto R. Silan, Shirley D. Silan, Lilibeth P. Novicio, Arnelyn S. Romilla, Ruby A. Manaig
Filipino farmers remain to be the poorest among the basic sectors in the Philippines. One of the interventions done by the government is the enactment of the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016. In support to this, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) established a Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT) program for farms. SciCAT is the convergence of science and technology (S&T), innovation in farm techniques and practices, and tourism to showcase the farm’s natural beauty and distinct farm experiences through educational and recreational activities. Silan AgriFarm, a 21- hectare agricultural farm, situated at Brgy. Tambo M. Kulit, Indang, Cavite, started as a production farm showcasing dragon fruit as their main commodity. It is owned by Mr.
Farm tourism is mainly related to agriculture and its allied sector consisting of fisheries, livestock and the agro-based industry in Malaysia. It offers opportunities for visitors to experience various agricultural activities as the country has plenty of agricultural resources for utilization. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is responsible for the development of agricultural tourism activities in Malaysia, while the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is an authority for Malaysian tourism promotional activities as a whole. The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), a statutory body under the roof of MAFS, is mandated for conducting research on agriculture, food and agro-based industries and transferring agrotechnologies in multidisciplinary prospects with the vision of leading in agro-food research and innovations. The
Farm tourism in the Philippines is a thriving sector that allows visitors to immerse themselves in rural life, traditional farming practices, and associated cultural heritage. This paper presents the outcome of a study conducted in the Southern Luzon region of the Philippines popularly known as CALABARZON. It involved secondary data analysis, surveys, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with owners, managers, and operators of farm tourism destinations accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines. The study was commissioned by the DOT Regional Office IV-A to the author, and was done to provide insights into the status of farm tourism in the region, identify areas for improvement, and prepare a Regional Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan. Anchored on the tourism marketing and promotion campaigns that are centered on the "It's More Fun in the Philippines" and “Fun Farms”
Harnessing the Economic and Socio-cultural Opportunities of Rural and Farm Tourism
6th issue
Innovative Approach to Promote Package of Technologies (POTs): The SciCAT (Science for The Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism) Way
Delineating Peasant-like and Community-based Entrepreneurial Modes of Rural Tourism: A Case Study of Takachihogo–Shiibayama, Japan
Promoting local agritourism: A case study of Indigenous agritourism businesses in Hualien County, Taiwan
Discovering the Beauty of Agri-Tourism: The Silan AgriFarm’s SciCAT Journey
Best Practices and Challenges of Farm Tourism in Malaysia
Farms for Fun in the Philippines: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ways Forward