Tangible ways forward
It is important to ‘think local’ – not only serving the interests of tourists, but of the local people, making prices affordable to the local people. The kind of tourism which promotes local food supported by local community has now expanded in malls with a resto-spa and souvenir shops. An integrated holistic food-based tourism means people and health, while providing food on the farmer’s table with proper nutrition and responsible practices in agriculture (>>Goal 3).
Domestic tourism
More than international tourism, domestic tourism brought a change in the economics of food in the Philippines, as Filipinos love to bring food home as ‘pasalubong’ or gifts. This helps in the local economy, as domestic tourists buy to share the products of a place.
Artisanal food products such as coffee, chocolate and tea also find a new market. Local government units also promote ‘one town one product’ to help local communities develop their creative enterprises.
Successful food tourism aroused the interest of domestic tourists with the new trend of artisanal home-made products in a farm resort, or agri-tourism as a tourism package. One of the trendy tours that have existed for many years is cultural tourism which includes food tasting of different local delicacies and the actual visit to a local home or backyard food production site and workshop.
Spreading organic farming practices
The trend in travel as a lifestyle needs to influence the global mentality of providing food on the table, but mindful of the source and responsible farming practices. Travellers may produce viral blogs on organic practices, not only concerning practical information, but also real stories of people in local communities that can teach other communities. People travel, and so stories can travel with them and start connecting the dots.
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