SEARCA, ISST, and DOT co-organize Global Farm Tourism Summit

By Leah Lyn D. Domingo FANSSEA News

GFTS 2018 web

TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines. The unique combination of farming and tourism for recreation and education of travelers will be in the spotlight at the first-ever Global Farm Tourism Summit to be held on 17-19 July 2018 at the Summit Ridge Hotel here. 

The event is organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) headed by Dr. Mina Gabor together with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

It is also supported by the Tourism Promotions Board, Provincial Government of Cavite, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Agriculture (DA), and Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and the Automobile Association of the Philippines.

Now a worldwide trend, farm tourism creates new livelihoods for farm families and contributes to the rural economy.

The conference will thus share best practices and success stories from local and international experts and increase awareness on the benefits of adding a tourism component to farms.

"Farm tourism opens up possibilities for diversification of income for small-scale farmers while promoting good farming practices, sustainable agriculture systems, and community involvement," SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. said.

As in any enterprise, sustainability is key. The global meet will highlight the role of farm tourism in attaining the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo Puyat will keynote the conference and share the DOT's directions along the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 authored by Senator Cynthia Villar.

With the conference theme "Managing Climate Risks through Sustainable Farm Tourism," session topics include farming is sexy: millennial farmers, women empowerment in farm tourism, new sustainable practices, climate resilient crops, climate-smart farming, do-it-yourself promotion of farm tourism, local organic standards and accreditation and internationally accepted processes, and various country experiences.

There will also be an exhibit of farm produce packaged in various forms and other innovative retail items that showcase farm products and services from partners and participating farms. A visit of the participants to the Cavite-based IIRR to see for themselves successful projects will cap the international meet. 

Search