MITIGATION PRACTICES OF AGRITOURISM AMIDST COVID 19 IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

This study was conducted in General Santos City from September to December 2021. The list of respondents was taken to City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) of General Santos City. The researcher used descriptive analysis in analysing the data.

The profitability of agritourism management in General Santos City was determined through a cost and return analysis. The annual net income of agritourism owner is P 446,143. The benefit cost ratio is 0.65. Furthermore, return of investment of agritourism owners is 65.4 percent. This means that the agritourism industry is profitable.

All agritourism has services offered of farm tour. Owners utilized facebook as for marketing strategies. In Promotional Strategies they have partnership with local tourism, facebook, radio, tv, and partnership NGOS. They practiced mitigation methods such as farm rehabilitation, vaccination of employees, abiding to health Protocols, alternate source of income, pivate booking, close to public, and reduction of human resources. The policies implemented before pandemic are adjusted during pandemic and all agritourism implemented to follow the health protocols. This means that the agritourism in General Santos City is profitable. Majority of the owners are member in SOX tourism council.

It was concluded that the agritourism owners in General Santos City were affected by the Covid 19 Pandemic in the operation. Nonetheless, despite the pandemic it was found out that they can still earn. As a result, the local government may provide training and workshop in digititalization to build on the marketing strategies. Highlight certification particularly the safety seal to indicate that it is implemented health and standardized practices.