As part of its continuing effort in rebooting tourism in Calabarzon, the Department of Tourism Region IV-A is developing “Centers for Fun” tourism circuits in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
The initiative, which is part of the DOT’s national Tourism Recovery and Response Plan (TRRP), incorporates faith, food, and farm tourism sites for provincial and inter-provincial clusters.
She said the regional office and tour operators recently made a simulation tour of the proposed destinations in Cavite, which included farm-themed establishments such as Sonya’s Garden and Queen’s Strawberry Farm in Alfonso; EMV Flower Farm and Bounty Harvest Farm in Indang; Yoki’s Farm and Paradizoo in Mendez; and Asiong’s Caviteno Restaurant and Shambala in Silang.
The group also visited the historic parish churches, as well as the Cavite State University and the Far Eastern University, which are tapping into countryside-themed educational tours for students and tourists.
Other accredited establishments are Luntiang Republika in Alfonso, Teofely’s Farm and The Weekend Farmer in Silang, Terraverde Farm in Maragondon, and Farmer’s Table at Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay City.
DOT Calabarzon also offers the farm-to-table dining experience, the Green Corridor Initiatives in the five provinces, as well as scuba diving, a world-class special interest activity in Batangas.
Its programs highlight the region’s rich culinary traditions in line with the thrust of DOT Secretary Christina Frasco on food tourism and the development of alternative destinations across the archipelago.