MITIGATION PRACTICES OF AGRI-TOURISM ON COVID - 19: THE CASE IN POLOMOLOK, SOUTH COTABATO

The study was conducted from August 2021 to December 2021 among the five (5) agritourism in Polomolok, South Cotabato namely Ante Tourism Park, Armros Agrotourism Park, Flowing Water Agritourism Park, Tiwan's Bato Peak Agritourism Park and B'laan Wellness and Tribal Village to determine the socio-demographic profile of the owner of agritourism, services, marketing strategies, promotional methods, current situation on covid 19, mitigation practices, customer and health and safety policies employed during pandemic, profitability, institutional support, access to credit and formulate policy implication and recommendations. The data were gathered through personal interview with the used of structured questionnaire and was analyzed and interpreted using descriptive analysis. Cost and return analysis was used to determine the profitability of Agritourism businesses.

This study revealed that all of the agritourism owners in Polomolok are male, and were using social media platforms to market and promote their agritourism spot and services offered to the public to attract many tourists that would love to experience some relaxation, adventures, and nature away from crowd as possible. In times of pandemic, the owners complied to protocols that are mandated by the government and implemented their own mitigation practices towards covid-19 to ensure their customers and employees' health and safety. Government institutions extended help to agritourisms and current situations caused by the pandemic, altogether, agritourisms in Polomolok are still profitable. Based from the analysis of the findings of this study, the researcher would like to recommend to agritourism employees and owners may consider to attend and participate more training, seminars and program about the business operation, first aids, earthquake, fire and electrical safety. The owners may engage more and be more active in marketing and promoting the business. The owners may be involve with the government institutions and other organizations that supports agritourism. Lastly, owners of agritourism sites were encouraged to form an association.