As the new Senate tourism chief, Lapid vows to push agri-tourism growth
Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Tourism, has vowed to push for the development of agri-tourism in the country.
As a farmer, Lapid said he would promote the growth and promotion of the Philippine agriculture industry through tourism and even encourage the people to support the local tourism industry.
“The promotion of farm tourism will give us good jobs and opportunities for young people to return to farming and have additional income for our tourism, farmers, and local communities,” emphasized Lapid.
Lapid added he is certain that farm tourism would also solve the problem of mass migration to urban centers.
“Farm tourism would contribute to rural development," said Lapid, who gained the tourism panel after Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay resigned as chief of the Senate tourism committee.
Lapid noted that agri-tourism is centered on agricultural-based activities to encourage vacationers or tourists to visit and learn about the work of farmers in fields and ranches.
The senator also said he is confident that the development of agritourism would encourage the youth to study agriculture, especially now that the country has aging farmers.
Farm tourism has been institutionalized in the Philippines, with the enactment of Republic Act 10816, also known as the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.