Manila: The Philippine government has launched a new farm tourism roadmap aimed at establishing the nation as a "leading destination for farm and gastronomy tourism in Asia" from 2026 to 2031, as announced by the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (FTSAP) was unveiled on February 16 during a ceremony spearheaded by the DOT, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and private sector members of the Farm Tourism Development Board (FTDB). The new roadmap is designed to enhance grassroots engagement by directly connecting farmers, rural enterprises, and tourism establishments.
The plan aims to bolster accreditation systems, integrate farm tourism sites into well-structured tourism circuits, and align infrastructure, enterprise development, and market access. The DOT highlighted international projections indicating that agritourism is expected to grow from USD69 billion in 2019 to approximately USD197 billion by 2032.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco emphasized that agritourism continues to be a government priority, viewing the sector as a key driver of rural development. She stated, "When tourism demand for food and culinary experiences is intentionally linked to Filipino farmers and rural enterprises, visitor spending strengthens local economies. Farm tourism allows agriculture to participate directly in this higher value tourism model."
The FTSAP builds on Republic Act No. 10816, known as the Farm Tourism Act of 2016, and progresses the government's farm tourism strategy from a policy framework to "full operational execution."
In conjunction with the FTSAP launch, Frasco and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Farm, Food, and Gastronomy Tourism between the DOT and the DA. This partnership is set to support coordinated infrastructure development, including farm-to-market roads integrated with tourism circuits, and ensure sustained demand for local agricultural products.
Tiu Laurel remarked, "This is not simply about adding tourist spots to farms. It is about creating stable institutional demand for local produce. It is about encouraging value-adding, strengthening supply chains, and integrating agriculture into the broader service economy." He further commented on the impact of consistent sourcing from Filipino farmers by hotels and restaurants, stating that it stimulates rural investments, generates employment, and expands economic activity beyond primary production.
