The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched a travel guidebook highlighting CALABARZON’s farm tourism destinations.
Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said the travel guidebook, compiled by DOT’s Region 4A office, highlights CALABARZON’s agri-tourism destinations as well as the region’s indigenous delicacies.
CALABARZON stands for Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, the provinces comprising Region IVA.
The book features the 12 MFM exhibitors accredited by DOT as farm tourism sites—Costales Nature Farms, MoCa Family Farm, Terra Verde Ecofarm, Gourmet Farms, Ato Belen’s Farm, Forest Wood Garden, Flor’s Farm and Garden, Kahariam Farms, and Teofely Nature Farms, Nurture Farms, Domingo Permafarms, and Chad’s Nature Farm.
Teo said, “Although CALABARZON is one of the highly urbanized regions in the country, it has a lot of rural areas where tourists could feel the cool breeze and experience the biodiversity of living things.”
“With the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, its vibrant communities there is no doubt that CALABAZARZON is one of the country’s agricultural haven,” added Teo.
“We will continue to promote agri-tourism in the country for this is a unique experience for visitors at farm fields,” she said.
DOT Region IVA Director Rebecca Labit, who initiated book project, cited the importance to educate the non-farming public about farms and farm products, as well as the preservation of the rural landscape.
Agri-tourism or farm tourism is seen to be an attractive option to usual sun and beach activities and contributor to sustainable source of income for farmers.
“Next time you visit make sure it will be about appreciating the beauty of nature and immersion experience in the farm, which invigorates the senses,” said Labit.