Baguio hosts 9th International Farm Tourism Conference

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The country’s expanding farm tourism industry heads to the highlands as the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference convenes March 4–6 at Hotel Supreme Mall and Events Center, spotlighting sustainable agriculture and upland tourism development.

Organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) and co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the City Government of Baguio, this year’s gathering carries the theme “Highland Harvest: Cultivating Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism,” highlighting growth industries across the Cordillera mountain region.

ISST President Mina Gabor described the event as the country’s largest annual gathering of agriculture and tourism practitioners, emphasizing investments in upland farm-based attractions and long-term sustainability.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, will keynote the conference and outline the Upper Chamber’s legislative agenda on food security.

Opening ceremonies will feature Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ISST Chair Jaime Bautista, Philippine Retirement Authority General Manager and CEO Bob Zozobrado, Sukau Rainforest Lodge Managing Director Albert Teo, and Philippine Exporters Confederation President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr..

An exhibit of agricultural produce, processed food, and indigenous crafts from the Cordilleras will be led by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona.

Panel discussions will cover highland coffee innovation, cultural preservation, digitalization in farm tourism, and sustainable food systems.

Speakers include Dr. Alejandro Mojica of the Philippine Coffee Board, FAO Country Representative Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie, and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity adviser Theresa Mundita Lim, among others.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will also highlight aquaculture tourism and upland freshwater technologies.

A major highlight is the Asia’s Farm Tourism Awards Night, with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as guest of honor.

Now on its fifth batch of awardees, the awards recognize outstanding Filipino and Asian farm tourism entrepreneurs. Each winner will receive US$1,500 from ISST and private donors.

The conference traces its roots to 2014, when ISST staged the first farm tourism conference in Daet, Camarines Norte.

The initiative gained legislative backing through Republic Act No. 10816, or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, authored by former Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Supporting agencies include the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Tourism Promotions Board, and Philippine Airlines as official carrier.

Organizers are calling on farm owners, educators, students, researchers and investors from across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — as well as international stakeholders — to attend, citing growing global interest in sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and community-based tourism.

The three-day event will conclude with tours of Baguio’s cultural, artistic, historic and farm tourism sites, underscoring the city’s role as a highland hub for sustainable development.