Use Taiwan as an example and inspiration to boost agritourism in Malaysia

Leisure farms in Taiwan are creating interesting programmes to please all kinds of tourists. — Photos: Handout

ONn Taiwan’s national day on Oct 15, 2005, I was invited to a study tour on “leisure farms” and the early development of the island’s leisure farming industry, sometimes known as agritourism or agrotourism. Back then there were no foreign tour groups visiting Taiwan’s leisure farms, and even the local inbound operators did not dare to arrange day tours for tourists to experience the local farming practices and culture.

That said, such an emerging experiential farming model had drawn the attention of many domestic travellers, who not only got to enjoy fresh farm produce but were also able to “go back in time” to their grandparents’ houses in their native villages.