Introduction

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of
people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or
business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors. They seek recreational travel,
such as a short pleasure trip, or a journey abroad.

In the Philippines, tourism is considered as one of the largest industries and the major
contributor on the economy. One type of tourism the government promotes is agritourism. It is a
form of niche tourism that is considered a growth industry in many parts of the world, including
Australia, Canada, the United States, and also in the Philippines.

An agritourism activity, as explained by House Bill 1808 introduced in Congress, means

“any activity carried out on a farm or ranch or in a forest that allows members of the general
public for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities,
including farming, ranching, historical, cultural, harvest-your-own, or nature-based activities and
attractions.” Agritourism farms offer tours to allow a person to view the growing, harvesting, and
processing of locally grown foods, such as corn, coconuts, sugar cane, and pineapple. Often the
farmers provide a home-stay opportunity and general education on the workings of the farm.

Agritourism not only

assists communities with
solutions to help diversify
their economic base, but it
also helps regional urban
centers and increasingly
suburban populations to
understand the important
role that farming and rural
life plays in our history, by
highlighting the need for it in our contemporary society. Agri-tourism projects reinforce the need
to support local growers and sources and allow the visitor to experience what it is to be part of
the land.