DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, May 6 (PIA) -- With the reopening of tourism in the province under the new normal, the Department of Tourism Central Visayas is eyeing the accreditation of 16 farms and five outdoor adventure trails in Negros Oriental as new tourism circuits following its validation of the farm and destination sites in the province.

DOT-7 Chief of Tourism Development Division Dr. Gelena Dimpas, together with Dr. Henry Sojor representing Gov. Roel Degamo, led the tourism circuit validation project in Dumaguete City.

This validation effort is to enhance the value of existing farms and outdoor adventure products for newly documented circuits of Farm-Fork-Fitness and Outdoor Adventure Trails in Negros Oriental, said Dimpas.

With the easing of restrictions and reopening of borders, this new domestic tourism circuit development promotes an interregional tourism farm circuit.

“Right now, we are conducting inventory of new tourism destinations which could be included in the tourism circuits in the province with health safety protocols,” the DOT-7 official said.

The local tourism players that have been validating farm tourism circuits include Hacienda Schon, Carla’s Orchard, and Consuelo Farm in Canlaon City; Hacienda Lopez in Vallehermoso; La Libertad Rice Terraces; Banban Organic Village, Binhi Eco Park, both in Ayungon; Sycip Sugarcan Plantation in Manjuyod; Raul’s Eco-Farm and Rabbitry, Amlan; Reef’s Farm, Tanjay City; Rabbiton Farm, and Sakada Café & Farms, both in Pampl;ona; Joeltess Organic Farm, Bayawan City Agri Develoopments Corp, and Danapa Aquaculture Facility in Bayawan City; and Baslay Coffee Farm in Dauin.

Outdoor adventure trails circuits also includes surfing in Sta. Catalina, caving in Mabinay, and kite surfing in Zamboanguita, among others.

It is noted that there is big potential for the primarily agricultural province to develop its economy through farm tourism. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)