TAGAYTAY CITY, Cavite, July 19 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) hold the first-ever Global Farm Tourism (GFT) Summit at the Summit Ridge Hotel here.
According to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the three-day summit, which opened Tuesday is expected to reiterate the directions of Republic Act 10816 or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.
Highlight of the said summit include lecture-discussions and panel sessions on farming-tourism fusion, climate-resilient farming, women empowerment in farm tourism, and millennial farming.
"A lot of the millennials are actually running the farm tourism now. They're marrying the technology and all the knowledge in Internet and digital marketing to push their farms, it's exciting" with regard to the enthusiasm and innovativeness of millennials in using digital technology in their farming techniques, said ISST President Dr. Mina Gabor.
SEARCA Director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. expressed optimism that "Farm tourism opens up possibilities for diversification of income for small-scale farmers while promoting good farming practices, sustainable agriculture systems, and community involvement."
Participants of the summit include officers of local government units, farm owners and farmers, and international delegates from Vietnam, Thailand and New Zealand who earlier confirmed their attendance.
The Global Farm Tourism Summit is anchored on the theme: "Managing Climate Risks through Sustainable Farm Tourism" which aims to improve developed plans and practices to cope with climate change. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/with reports from Joyce Anna Rocamora)