DoT, DA collaborate to promote agri-tourism

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) that would align their respective programs, infrastructure and promotions to promote the Philippines as a leading food and gastronomy destination in Asia.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, “This is not simply about adding tourist stops to farms, a visit that could even spur greater investment the farm sector. It is about creating stable institutional demand for local produce, encouraging value adding and integrating agriculture into the broader services economy.”

The Secretary added, “When hotels and restaurants source consistently from Filipino farmers, we stimulate rural investments, generate employment and expand economic activity beyond primary production.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the collaboration will support infrastructure development including farm-to-market roads (FMRs), irrigation systems, postharvest and cold chain facilities.

Sec. Frasco said, “When tourism demand for food and culinary experiences is intentionally linked to Filipino farmers and rural enterprises, visitor spending strengthens local economies.”

The tourism chief also said tourists are spending more on experiences that go beyond sightseeing, such as culinary journeys, farm visits and immersive rural experiences, among the growing segments of the market.

Tiu Laurel says connecting agriculture and tourism can incentivize higher standards in quality, food safety and sustainability, enabling local producers to compete in premium markets.

Towards this goal, the DA and the DOT intends to expand farm tourism destinations, promote Filipino cuisine and integrate agricultural priorities into tourism plans.

Key feature of the collaboration is the alignment of FMR projects with tourism circuits under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program to improve access to farms and emerging destinations while strengthening logistics for producers.

Tourism accounted for 8.9% of the Philippine economy in 2024, an improvement from 8.7% a year ago, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Tourism Direct Gross Value Added, which refers to the value added generated by tourism to the economy, increased by 11.2% to P2.35 trillion in 2024.

About 17.1% of inbound visitor expenditure goes to food and beverage services.

Global agritourism is projected to expand by 185% to $197 billion by 2032 from $69 billion in 2019.