LUCENA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Calabarzon with the provincial government of Quezon are banking on agritourism as a key driver for inclusive growth and sustainable development in the region.
DOT Calabarzon Regional Director Marites Castro, during a program celebrating Filipino Food Month this April, emphasized the significance of agritourism in enhancing the visibility of local products, culture, and culinary heritage.
“The number one program of our good Governor, Dr. Helen Tan is to expand agri-tourism. Through this event, we are discovering more about what our province has to offer — especially in terms of food,” the director said.
The Tourism department sees food as a vital component of the country’s cultural identity and a powerful tool to promote a destination by showcasing local cuisine and farm-to-table experience.
As part of the ‘gastronomy tourism’ initiative being promoted by the DOT, local chefs from various towns in Quezon Province showcased their culinary skills in a cooking competition, featuring their signature dishes and traditional delicacies.
The ‘Tara Na sa Quezon’ tourism campaign also continues to be showcased, featuring the province’s unique destinations and brings Quezonian products and culture closer to tourists through livelihood and cultural-based tourism activities.
The tourism department’s partnership with the Quezon provincial government also seeks to empower farmers, rural communities, and small-scale entrepreneurs by transforming farms and agricultural lands into tourism destinations.
This initiative will not only boost the province’s tourism appeal but also help preserve its rich agricultural heritage and protect its natural landscapes.
“The number one help of [Filipino food month kick off in Quezon] is promotion which we’ve started is also included in our agritourism promotional activities,” Quezon governor doctor Helen Tan said.
Quezon Province, known for its fertile lands and vibrant food culture, has been at the forefront of Calabarzon’s agritourism development.
With agritourism poised as a transformative force for rural development, officials remain optimistic that the initiative will continue to uplift the livelihoods of local farmers while providing tourists with meaningful, educational, and delicious travel experiences. (AM/PIA 4A)
