Business Mirror Feature (Farm Tourism)
Farm tourism’ thrives on wellness buffs
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is banking on new types of tourist attractions like farm and wellness enclaves to lure international and domestic visitors into the country. “Farm tourism is relatively new but once developed, especially with the mandate of the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016, inclusive growth becomes achievable for the benefit of farmers, micro to small business entrepreneurs and other
community stakeholders,” DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre said. Alegre said there is an increasing community engagement and appreciation for tourism as a way of life in the countryside.
More importantly, we continue to deepen our brand of hospitality, giving more essence to the unique Filipino tourism
experience, Alegre continued.
The DOT official made the assertions as he joined travel and tour promoters, mass media and stakeholders during the
launch of the Nurture Farmacy in Tagaytay. Alegre congratulated physician Mike Turvill, a British national and his Filipina
wife Cathy, owners of the Nurture Wellness Village for opening the Farmacy. Turvill is a Doctor in Organic Chemistry from
the University of Nottingham, UK while his wife is an internationally licensed therapist and Certified Wellness Specialist
from the USA.
A DOT-accredited ecotourism wellness, heritage and farm destination, the Farmacy provides a wide range of activities for
varied guests. Among these are a tour of the Phytotherapy garden; weaving and cooking demos; interactive heritage
activities and many others.
The Farmacy is a logical adjunct to the 15-year-old resort and spa, serving as source of agricultural produce for the catering services, as well as for application and treatment at the spa outlet. Nurture has been named one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia by CNN Go and one of the Top Seven Spas of the Philippines by Asia Spa Magazine, and has been featured several times by local and international media.
The Farmacy is a logical adjunct to the 15-year-old resort and spa, serving as source of agricultural produce for the catering services, as well as for application and treatment at the spa outlet. Nurture has been named one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spas in Asia by CNN Go and one of the Top Seven Spas of the Philippines by Asia Spa Magazine, and has been featured several times by local and international media.
