IJSEGCE

VOL 2, No.1 March 2019

ISSN: 2656- 3037
https://www.journals.segce.com/index.php/IJSEGCE

STATE OF SELECTED AGRI-TOURISM VENTURE IN BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Dr. Rosemary G. Zacal

Faculty of Business and Administration Department, College of Business and Accountancy,
Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Email Address: rzacal@hnu.edu.ph

Leomar B. Virador
Faculty of Accountancy Department, College of Business and Accountancy,
Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Email Address: leomarbcpa@gmail.com

Lutgarda P. Cañedo
Chair of Tourism and Hospitality Management Department, College of Business and Accountancy,
Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Email Address: lut_p@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Agri-tourism as an emerging industry provides both livelihood and income opportunities to the people
surrounding the site. The main thrust of this research is to determine the status of selected agri-tourism venture in
Bohol, Philippines, particularly the related socio-economic benefits and the struggles encountered by the
management of the site. The study is purely qualitative in nature. Questionnaire and personal interview were used
to gather primary information from the respondents. There were three (3) site managers, fifteen (15) workers, and
fifteen (15) locals who participated in the study. Results revealed that agri-tourism is very promising and undoubtedly
forms a significant part of the lives of its workers and its community. For the workers, it largely contributes to: an
increase in household income; an improved standard of living; and a healthy working environment. For the locals
outside the agri-tourism sites, the sites have opened opportunities for them to earn income which were not there
before the sites operated. The sites faced struggles brought by locals, employees, and visitors.

Keywords: Agri-tourism venture; Agri-tourism sites; Socio-economic benefits; and Struggles/challenges;

I. INTRODUCTION

Tourism is one of the industries that are booming increases. Thus, entrepreneurs engage into
in both developed and developing countries. As cited agriculture and tourism businesses. In Bohol,
by Aguba, Tamayo, and Barlan (2013) it has grown agriculture and tourism are major sources of
into one of the world’s major industries and has employment. As to employment rate in Bohol, 42% are
become increasingly important. According to Recio et employed in the agriculture industry while 36% are
al. (2014) there are different branches of tourism, employed in the service industry where tourism is the
under this is industrial tourism. One of the emerging leading sector. Agri-preneurs in Bohol diversified its
type of industrial tourism is agri-tourism. operations and accept tourists for farm tours, farm
In the Philippines, agriculture and tourism are demo, and other agricultural activities. As a result,
among the major sources of employment and income agri-tourism businesses in Bohol are increasing in
of the people. These industries play a major role in the number. This phenomenon is supported by Mnguni
growth of the economy. Through the emergence of (2010) that agri-tourism has increased as a means of
these industries, people’s opportunity to earn income enterprise diversification for most agricultural

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VOL 2, No.1 March 2019
ISSN: 2656- 3037
https://www.journals.segce.com/index.php/IJSEGCE

producers and in most cases, it is developed and system, strengthening social ties and development of
adopted by the farmers in the rural areas. Through this social skills and relationships, increase in income of
innovation, Bohol is considered as the leading local community, diversification and intensification of
province for agri-tourism in the Central Visayas Region economic activities, job opportunities, and alleviation
of the Philippines as mentioned by the Bohol Tourism of poverty. Moreover, the study of Bwana et al. (2015)
Office (BTO). Thus, the researchers conducted this in Kenya found out that agri-tourism reduces rural-
study in order to determine the status of selected agri- urban migration of the young people since it will
tourism venture, an emerging industry, in Bohol, provide incentives to preserve agricultural land, and it
Philippines. also creates employment opportunities.
This research has several contributions. First, this
study documents the socio-economic benefits of
having such business in the province to give light and III. RESEARCH METHODS
relevant information to agri-preneurs, local
government units, students, and the society at large. This study was done through the use of a
Second, this study provides additional literature to the descriptive survey method of research which
body of knowledge about agri-tourism venture. Lastly, qualitatively described the state of selected agri-
this fills the gap of minimal researches about agri- tourism venture in Bohol. The researchers made use
tourism venture. of a researcher-made questionnaire and conducted an
interview with the respondents in order to gather first -
II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE hand information about the profile of the respondents,
socio-economic benefits of agri-tourism as
Agri-tourism is defined as any business experienced by the locals and employees, and map-
conducted by a farmer for the enjoyment or education out the challenges/struggles encountered by the
of the public, to promote the products of the farm and management in operating an agri-tourism site.
to generate additional farm income (Hilchey, 1993). There were three (3) agri-tourism sites who
Moreover, Hamzah et al. (2012) defines agri-tourism participated in the study. The sites were purposively
as an economic activity which inherently affects the selected based on the number of years in operation.
social, cultural, and the economics of life of a The reason of such selection is to accumulate relevant
community. It is a tool that has been widely used information that would explain the status of agri-
around the world for the purpose of intensifying the tourism venture. The management of such sites were
socio economic aspects of the local community. asked to determine the profile of the site, and to map-
The literature affirmed that agri-tourism as a out the struggles/challenges encountered in the
business provides benefits and opportunities to the operation of the site. To determine the socio-economic
people. According to the theory of Lobo et al. (1999) benefits of agri-tourism, the researchers interviewed
agri-tourism can be an effective tool to educate five (5) employees, and five (5) locals from each site,
consumers about local agriculture, and its importance a total of fifteen (15) employees, and fifteen (15) locals
for the country’s economy and quality of life. Moreover, who participated in the study. Before the gathering
McCallum (2003) and Churchchill (2004) have stated data, permission from the proper authorities was
that agri-tourism is a growing segment of the tourism observed by the researchers to ensure the ethical
industry, as a way to save the farm as well as provide considerations in conducting research.
customers with personalized service; high- quality
fresh food; and farm, nature and family experiences. IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
According to the study of Recio, De Ada,
Esguerra, Mandanas, Masangkay, Mendania, and Table 1 reveals the profile of the agri-tourism sites
Apritada (2014) in the 4th district of Batangas, who participated in this study. All sites are operating in
Philippines, agri-tourism contributes economic growth the industry for more than a decade already.
in the locality, and also it has taught the locals and Accordingly, sites 1 and 2 started as purely agricultural
tourists to appreciate more the nature and life of the farm but as tourist influx in the province increases, they
farms. In addition, according to Otchterki (2008) as started to shift their way of doing business. They
cited by Recio et al. (2014) agri-tourism provides incorporated tourism in agriculture that is why they
additional source of revenue for farmers and it accepted tourists for farm and village tour. From that,
increases their quality of life. In Malaysia, the study of their business has diversified and offer varied
Hamzah, Yassin, Samah, Silva, Tiraiyaei, Shaffril and agricultural services (e.g. farm tour, and products from
Uli (2012) revealed that agri-tourism provides several agricultural produce) for the tourists. Site 3 started
benefits such as enhancement of social empowerment

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ISSN: 2656- 3037
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offering products that are organic and naturally grants (farming materials and cash) from different
produced from the farm of the site and locals. government agencies for the sustainability of the
When it comes to type of business organization, association. Site 3 is a private corporation owned by a
site 1 is owned by the government. This site is a group of businessmen.
regional office under the umbrella of the Department
of Agriculture (DA). Site 2 is a people’s organization Table 1. Profile of the Agri-tourism Sites
whose employees are members of the association.
The association is registered with the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE). They have received
Profile Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Number of years in 96 17 15
operation
Type of business Government owned People’s Organization Corporation
organization
Ownership Government Association Private
Products offered Research, Production, Village tour, meals, Bed and Breakfast,
Training center, and oyster restaurant, tour, and
technical assistance, spa
planting materials,
meals and farm tour
Daily visitors Seasonal Seasonal 1,000
Sources of income All services offered are Income from village Income from bed and
free. tour, and sales from breakfast, store,
Sales from culled oyster. restaurant, farm tour
animals are deposited and spa
to national treasury.
Movement of profit Increasing (based on Increasing Increasing
the culled animals)
Movement of Decreasing Increasing Increasing
employees
Employee turnover Very low (retirement Very low 3.5 years
age or lay-off)

The results show that the 3 sites are varied in composed of families, educational tours, and
terms of the products that bring them income. corporate. Moreover, site 1 is least tourist dependent
Common sources of income are sales from produce since they get very little income from visitors while site
and on site activities. Site 3 has the most diversified 2 and 3 depends on visitors for most of their income.
product offerings. It claims income from recreational The sites show a promising development based
activities not related to agriculture. Agricultural on the increasing movement of profits and
products in the 3 farms are cattle, carabao, chicken, employment. However, site 1 revealed a decreasing
ducks, sheep, goat, pig, oyster, lettuce, herbs, and number of employees due to retirement and laying off
honey. Like many farmers, the management and their of the government.
workers look for additional sources of income to Sites 1 and 2 lose their employees generally only
augment their revenue from traditional farming to retirement or death and site 3 has very low
operations. They venture into food service like lunch employee turnover as well which indicates job
for visitors, coffee shop, restaurant, banquets, and satisfaction. At present, site 1 has 30 employees, site
food production such as longganisa (sausage), and 2 has 39 members and site 3 contributes the biggest
honey. employment opportunities with over a hundred
Sites 1 and 2 have lesser intensity of tourist employees.
activities claiming they only get visitors when there are
bookings from the municipal tourism officer and Table 2. Benefits of Working in an Agri-tourism
occasionally received walk ins. On the other hand, site Site
3 attracts a bigger number of tourists because of
greater accessibility from the capital city and principal Benefits Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
gateways to the island province. Their market is
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Satisfied with the 100 100 80 with the agri-tourism site. Among those who had
current previous employments, accordingly, they have
income/salary transferred because the agri-tourism site provides
Income earned is 100 100 50 better compensation and more job security. Moreover,
better compared to some transferred because the job fits to the degree
the previous work graduated, and the management of the site is better
Working 100 100 100 compared to their previous employer.
environment is better
compared to
previous work Table 3. Benefits to Locals Outside the selected
Standard of living is 100 100 100 Agri-tourism Site
better compared to
previous work Benefits Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Contributes 100 100 100
Based on the data collected from the employees additional income to
and farm members, working for the agri-tourism sites the people outside
improved their quality of life. Better income, working the farm
environment and standard of living are the positive Contributes 100 100 60
changes they have experienced when they have additional income to
transferred to the agri-tourism sites. Moreover, family member
majority of the respondents reported satisfaction of Provides work to 100 100 60
their current income. The findings confirmed to what family members
Otchterki (2008) stated that agri-tourism provides Provides livelihood 100 100 100
additional source of revenue for farmers and it to the community
increases their quality of life.
Employees from site 2 earn less than Php 10,000 According to the theory of Davies and Gilbert
(200 USD) per month which is relatively low. However, (1992), the economic impacts of agri-tourism sites to
this is usually just a supplementary income for their locals can result to slowing down of depopulation and
families because aside from their earnings from the supporting local services and conservation projects.
agri-tourism site, they are also into other forms of Such theory is also true in Bohol in which Agri-tourism
farming and fishing. Majority of site 1’s employees are sites prove to increase income of local community (see
earning a monthly salary of above Php 25, 000 (500 Table 3) through employment of family members and
USD) because they are already regular and they are livelihood to locals which include managing a sari-sari
animal specialists, whose salary grade is high. store; selling home-baked products; and selling
However, the employees of site 1 whose income are coconut juice for visitors and walk ins.
less than Php 10, 000 (200 USD) is a job order. Site Table 4 presents the common problems
3’s employees are earning less than Php 10, 000 (200 encountered by the respondents in their day to day
USD) per month because they are paid with the operations. The respondents disclosed that they have
minimum wage of Bohol. experienced problems from the sites’ operations
Among the workers interviewed, there are those caused by visitors, employees/members, and locals
who did not have any work before joining the agri- despite of the many positive social and economic
tourism sites. But there are also employees who had benefits brought about by agri-tourism activities.
corporate jobs but chose to transfer to the agri-tourism Visitors pose the most major and unpredictable
sites. Though some of the worker’s salary from problems to the operations especially for sites 1 and 2
previous employment is higher compared to what they which are bacteria and sex tourism. Site 3 on the other
earned from the agri-tourism sites, they still chose to hand revealed that they could have received more
transfer because of the quality of life and working visitors if they were made part of the popular
environment they would acquire from the employment countryside tour packages.

Table 4. Struggles/Challenges Encountered

Area Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Visitors  Bacteria brought by the  Sex tourism  Language barriers
visitors that can affect the  Exclusion from popular tour
livestock. (Bio security) packages
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Employ  Lack of support on some  Lack of attendance  Absences due to fiesta

ees/Me management decisions during meetings
mbers
Locals  Illegal settlers of the farm  Trashes  None
 Theft

opportunities. Its presence, although not seen as

Problems brought about by employees are significant by all neighboring households, still benefits
considered minor by the management. Site 3 does not the community at large through its philanthropic works.
encounter any problems with locals; as a matter of fact The management encountered problems from
the manager stated that they have received benefits tourist, locals, and employees. But the top challenge
from the locals because they provide the workforce, they have encountered is from the tourists which
and some of the agricultural produce. Site 1 greatly affect the sustainability of their site.
encountered problems from locals who illegally settled
in their farm which affects the operation of the farm and VI. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE
biosecurity. Some locals in site 2 threw trashes in the RESEARCH
area which could affect the cleanliness of the site, and
some children stole agricultural produce from the farm. Based on the challenges faced by the agri-
tourism sites, initiatives can be taken to educate host
V. CONCLUSIONS communities about the ill effects of illegal settling, poor
waste management, theft and other destructive
Agri-tourism in Bohol is very promising and practices on the sustainability of the farms, it would be
undoubtedly forms a significant part of the lives of its a good initiative if farm managements will allocate
workers and its community. For the workers, it largely specific areas where visitors can be allowed. This way,
contributes to: an increase in household income; an problems that may be caused by visitors will not
improved standard of living; and a healthy working threaten the biosecurity of the entire farm or affect the
environment. For the locals outside the agri-tourism operations of the whole farm. Municipality tourism
sites, the sites have opened opportunities for them to officers must carefully screen visitors who are booking
earn income which were not there before the sites a farm tour through them to avoid having undesirable
operated. guests.
The form of agri-tourism found in the 3 sites is of Sites 1 and 2 can explore more ways to diversify
different levels. Site 1 is more focused on its products and services offered to tourists like catering
agricultural operations than on its tourism potentials. to functions and offering homestay programs in order
Site 2 is almost equal parts farming and tourism. Site to increase employment opportunities and livelihood
3 is more touristy with limited agriculture aspects to it. prospects of the locals.
These differences coupled with its type of Future researches can be done on the health,
management play a vital role on how employees and educational, and other social contributions of agri-
locals benefit from the farms. tourism sites in order to further prove the multi-
Site 2 workers enjoy the fruits of agri-tourism the dimensional benefits of such sites. Aside from
most since they earn additional income for every visitor benefits, challenges might also be map-out that hinder
that comes to the farm. Site 1 does not collect any the development of these sites. These studies will
amount from the visitors and site 3’s income from draw more interest in this alternative form of tourism
visitors automatically goes to the business owners. and will result to gaining more support from
However, site 3, being a private entity, has developed government.
the most and able to produce the most employment

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