The Department of Tourism (DOT) Mimaropa emphasizes the importance of agricultural tourism to engage more tourists and educate them at the same time.
During the July 9 episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas held at the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, Calapan City, DOT Mimaropa Regional Director Roberto Alabado III outlined the strategic vision for promoting agricultural tourism in the region.
“Ang ating farm tourism ay kinikilala bilang isa sa strategic tourism products. Permanent na magpo-promote tayo ng farm tourism. Ang key dito ay ano ba ang mga produkto natin na experiential na magandang ma-experience ng ating mga pamilya, kabataan na hindi nila nagagawa or nae-experience sa lungsod,” Alabado said.
(Our farm tourism is known as one of our strategic tourism products. We will promote farm tourism permanently. The key here is what experiential things that we can share or promote with our family, youth who are not able to involve themselves in such experiences, since they are in a city.)
He added that by promoting agricultural tourism as another form of engagement to tourists, people will be educated about the process of how their foods end up at their homes.
He also cited the municipality of Mamburao in Occidental Mindoro as one of the potential areas for agricultural tourism.
“Mas magiging edukado ang mga tao kung paano nakakarating ang pagkain sa kanilang mga tahanan. Sa Mamburao, maraming fish ponds meron doon, masasaksihan ng mga tao ang paglaki ng tilapia o bangus. The whole experience ng fish pond as a farm yun po yung tour package na binibigay ninyo kase bibihira ang mga taga syudad na nakakakita ng whole process kung paano lumaki yung mga bangus at paano din gawin itong tinapa hanggang sa makarating sa kanilang mga tahanan, ang laki po ng potensyal ng Mindoro,” said Alabado.
He also shared during the Kapihan that DOT is putting its best efforts in helping farmers who would like to venture in agricultural farming by collaborating with them to create diverse farm experience packages. These include activities such as organic farming workshops and hands-on agricultural training sessions. (JJGS/PIA MIMAROPA)
