Introduction

Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or

business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors. They seek recreational travel, such as a short pleasure trip, or a journey abroad. In the Philippines, tourism is considered as one of the largest industries and the major contributor on the economy. One type of tourism the government promotes is agritourism. It is a form of niche tourism that is considered a growth industry in many parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, the United States, and also in the Philippines. An agritourism activity, as explained by House Bill 1808 introduced in Congress, means any activity carried out on a farm or ranch or in a forest that allows members of the general public for recreational, entertainment, or educational purposes, to view or enjoy rural activities, including farming, ranching, historical, cultural, harvest-your-own, or nature-based activities and attractions. Agritourism farms offer tours to allow a person to view the growing, harvesting, and processing of locally grown foods, such as corn, coconuts, sugar cane, and pineapple. Often the farmers provide a home-stay opportunity and general education on the workings of the farm. Agritourism not only assists communities with

solutions to help diversify their economic base, but it also helps regional urban centers suburban and increasingly to

populations

understand the important role that farming and rural life plays in our history, by highlighting the need for it in our contemporary society. Agri-tourism projects reinforce the need to support local growers and sources and allow the visitor to experience what it is to be part of the land.