The country’s farm tourism sector has made a strong comeback with the hosting of the 7th Philippine Farm Tourism Conference on the scenic Panglao Island in Bohol.
Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), the event received support from key entities such as the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport).
Making a return after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the conference featured a lineup of influential speakers. This included Department of Tourism Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathan, Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto, and Senator Mark Villar. All of them pledged to enhance their backing for farm tourism.
Provincial leaders, led by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and First District Congressman Edgar Chatto, warmly welcomed the delegates. They expressed gratitude for the chance to showcase Bohol’s diverse tourism attractions. In 2023, the island province earned recognition as a Global Geopark by UNESCO, acknowledging its abundant terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
The event featured informative lectures on various subjects, including sustainable farm-to-table concepts, fruit and vegetable processing, effective marketing and revenue strategies, the value-added benefits of artisanal fisheries, revitalizing the country’s multimillion seaweeds industry, and the prospects of pompano fish aquaculture. – 7th Philippine Farm Tourism Conference in Bohol – Out of Town Blog
