EXPLORING the Agritourism Destinations: A Multiple Case Study on the Hindrances of Agritourism Growth in Davao REGION

Abstract

Agritourism fights poverty and boosts rural development; however, significant challenges, including poor infrastructure, lower-skilled farmers, and limited basic services, hinder this development. With that, this study explores the service offerings of agritourism destinations in Region XI. It investigated the factors and experiences that hinder agritourism growth, as well as the coping mechanisms used to address them. This qualitative, multiple-case study was conducted in the Davao region, gathering data from five cases: floriculture, vineyards, livestock raising, sloping agricultural land technology, and demonstration and farm tours. Moreover, this study employed a purposive maximum variation sampling technique and interviewed 23 participants, comprising farm owners, managers, supervisors, and farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive case, within-case, thematic, and cross-case analyses. The following themes that emerged were diverse agritourism offerings, experiential hands-on learning, distinct offerings and landscape, lack of manpower, changing weather conditions, laborious responsibilities, lack of funding, communication barrier, delegation of tasks, consistent monitoring and evaluation, responsive work ethics, learning more technical skills, and strengthening interpersonal communication skills. Furthermore, there were themes that varied from the various cases in this study; hence, these agritourism sites experienced hindrances in their growth that require strengthened regional agricultural programs and interventions.