Gen. Santos City, the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, will host the 8th Philippine International Farm Tourism Conference, the country’s largest gathering of practitioners and authorities on farm tourism at the KCC Mall of GenSan on February 24-26.
Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), this year’s edition is themed “Stimulating Sustainable Economic Growth in Rural Communities through Farm Tourism,” which will facilitate collaboration among farm owners and farmers, and emphasize the positive socio-economic impact of farm tourism.
ISST president Mina Gabor said that this year’s conference will focus on sustainable growth through the cultivation of fruit farms, aquaculture and livestock, and investments on agriculture and tourism.
“The three-day confab opens with an exhibit of agricultural produce, processed food, native crafts and finished products from Gen. Santos and neighboring provinces. Conference participants will also immerse in the diverse cuisine, natural wonders, adventure attractions and exotic culture of the Soccsksargen Region,” says Gabor.
She added that Gen. Santos mayor Lorelie Pacquiao has endorsed the event to the local industry stakeholders to widen their learnings and knowledge on farm tourism to help bring prosperity in the countryside.
This year’s conference is the first in Mindanao and will showcase the phenomenal progress and peace of the Land of Promise it has attained in recent years.
The conference concludes with a familiarization tour to leading farm tourism sites in the Soccsksargen Region, such as Felicidad Orchard, Fish Port Complex, Guava Farm, and Bougainvillea Avenue of Sarangani Highlands.
