Exactly one year ago, I wrote about the almost quixotic efforts of former Secretary of Tourism Mina Gabor to jumpstart Farm Tourism through an annual international conference, the International School of Sustained Tourism, a non-profit organization spearheaded by Mina and ably supported by its Chair, former Secretary of Transportation Jaime Bautista, and its director, businesswoman Ida Joseph.

The conference has been conducted since 2014 to boost the agriculture sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP which registered 2.6-percent growth in 2025 compared to the negative 9-percent in 2024, a modest but nevertheless welcome bright spot amid the disappointing drop in the country’s GDP in 2025.

Today I give way to Mina as she shares with us ISST’s plans for its forthcoming 9th International Farm Tourism Conference.

By Former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor

The country’s growing farm tourism industry takes on higher ground, quite literally, as it goes to Baguio City for the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference on 4-6 March at the Hotel Supreme Mall and Events Center.

Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and co-presented by the Department of Tourism, this year’s edition has for its theme “Highland Harvest, Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism,” which will highlight the growing industries in the Cordillera mountain region.

The event is the country’s largest gathering of agriculture and tourism practitioners and will put the spotlight on the investment and development of upland farm-based attractions and ensure their sustainability.

Formally opening the event are Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ISST Chair Jaime Bautista, Philippine Retirement Authority General Manager and CEO Bob Zozobrado, Sukau Rainforest Lodge of Sabah, Malaysia Managing Director Albert Teo, and Philippine Exporters Confederation President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., who will deliver an inspirational message.

The confab will feature an exhibit of agricultural produce, processed food, native crafts, and finished products from the Cordilleras, coordinated by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona.

Participants can immerse themselves in the exotic cuisine, natural wonders, adventure attractions, and well-preserved culture of the highland region.

Panel discussions will tackle Highland Coffee Innovation with Dr. Alejandro Mojica of the Philippine Coffee Board and The Manila Times columnist Noemi Lardizabal–Dado; and Tradition to Technology with La Trinidad, Benguet Councilor Belmer Elis, Cordillera culture bearer and master weaver Cathy Ekid, and Cosmic Farm president Rogel Marsan.

Other topics are the Six Pillars of Sustainable Farm Tourism by Laudato Si’ Farm founder Fr. Samuel Agcaracar, SVD; digitalization in farm tourism by Vulcain.ai founder Gregory Duffell; and preserving natural and cultural heritage with Narda’s Handwoven Arts and Crafts director Lucia Capuyan Catanes.

There will also be scientific and technical inputs such as Sustainable Food System for Food Security by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) County Representative Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie; Brand Storytelling and Marketing Strategies by Approach Consultancy president Lorenzo Manalang; Adapting Agriculture to Climate Reality by International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) Country Director Emilita Monville Oro; and Building Resilient Communities in the Highlands by Asean Center for Biodiversity adviser Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will underscore aquaculture tourism with talks on upland freshwater technologies.

Success stories will be shared by Uma Verde Econature Farm president Kristine Ramos and Alameda Farms Surigao del Sur founder Sophia May Alameda.

A conference highlight is the Asia’s Farm Tourism Awards (AFTA) Night with DoT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as the guest of honor. Now on its fifth batch of awardees, the awards will honor outstanding local and Asian entrepreneurs who have blazed the trail for farm tourism with their exceptional projects.

Formerly known as the Lakbay Bukid Awards for Filipino farm tourism pioneers, it has expanded to cover the Asian continent. Winning individuals and groups will receive US$1,500 from the ISST and private donors.

The confab will conclude with a tour of the popular cultural, artistic, historic, and farm tourism sites in the Summer Capital.

The ISST held its first Farm Tourism Conference in 2014 in Daet, Camarines Norte and has since gone around to key cities across the country such as Tagaytay, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol and General Santos.

The initiative received a major boost with the enactment of Republic Act 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, authored by then Senator Cynthia Villar.

This year’s supporting agencies are the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippine Exporters Confederation, and Philippine Retirement Authority, with Philippine Airlines as the official carrier.

For details, call (02) 8442-2998, 0977–2946763, 0966-2430529; email info.isstphilippines@gmail.com or events.isstphilippines@gmail.com; or visit www.isst.edu.ph or its Facebook page ISST Philippines.

Until next week… OBF!

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