New trend in farming and travel - agritourism
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) defines agri-tourism as "the economic activity that occurs when people link travel with agricultural products, services or experiences".
Here are typical traits of an agritourist:
- high interest in outdoor/nature-oriented/learning activities
- enjoy exploratory day-trip style experiences with a country theme
- 65% female, 35% male with an average of 2 children
- 38% of consumers visit an on-farm market 2-6 times per year
- 37% of consumers who visit a farm are between the ages of 35-49
- moderate to high-income urban families and mature/senior couples
- principle food buyer for their household
- enjoy spending quality time with family/partner
What is agritourism (aka agrotourism)
Below, is a very comprehensive definition of agritourism - based on Agrotravel.gr website which uses definitions from the publication "Epihiriste...agrotouristika" (Launch your own...agrotourist business) Guidebook of AGROTOURISTIKI S.A. Writer: Stella Askeli (2005), Athens, KERKIRA Editions (only in Greek).Agrotourism is the joint launching of activities which aims at the economic and social development of rural and country regions in general. This target can be achieved by promoting and supporting:
* moderate and small-scale tourist services
* local agricultural production
* the manufacture and trade of traditional products
* local culture and natural wealth
"The tourist participating in such activities is a visitor, a "guest", a friend and admirer of the land, a traveler trying to discover its secrets, authenticity and beauty as well as focus on the serenity, natural heritage and all the unique and remarkable aspects of each destination.
The entire concept of agrotourism is based on the interpersonal, humane, direct and hospitable relations between country residents and visitors. This is why we foster the contact of visitors with nature, land cultivation, fruit gathering and local residents. Visitors learn how to use a loom, to embroider, to observe the fauna and the flora, to taste wine and "tsipouro" (a traditional Greek distilled beverage), to participate in their production process, to feel the appropriate time for grape harvest, to experience the mouth flavour, the bouquet and colour of local wines, to use crocus and to understand the differences between honey varieties. Moreover, visitors are initiated in mushroom and chestnut gathering processes.
We propose expeditions through wooded paths, calm lakes and rushing rivers. There is also the option of extreme sports. Tourists come in contact with old churches and monasteries, stone bridges and archaeological findings. They can also assist in local festivities and celebrations as well as acquaint themselves with local customs".
Interested in agritourism? Here are very useful websites on agritourism, rural travel, farm vacations, etc.
Don't miss Europe-based websites and articles - there is a lot of fascinating agritourism taking place there... Even in countries as small as Lithuania, Greece and Slovakia!
- Harvest Ontario - Explore, Experience, Enjoy Agritourism
- Harvest Ontario is the source for agritourism activities and destinations in Ontario. Experiences include the pick your own fruit and vegetables farms, Farmers's Markets, Ontario Fairs, Ontario Wineries, Fruit Wineries, Country B&B's and Harvest-Your-Own Christmas Tree farms.
- Agritour 2007
- Visit some of the unique farms of Eastern Ontario (The Lower Ottawa Valley). Renew your acquaintance with the rural roads of our region while enjoying speciality foods and products.
- Rural evolution (Canadian Geographic)
- Experience the changing landscape of agriculture in the Valley
- Agrotour.net
- project is supported by the European Commission through the Leonardo Da Vinci programme. The project aims to prepare an inventory of best practices in agro-tourism and merge it with available academic and vocational knowledge and practices in sustainable tourism. It will also produce e-learning tools and methodologies to support vocational training in agro-tourism targeted at agricultural workers, agro tourism service providers, VET trainers and other professionals working in organisations involved in capacity building in the agro-tourism market of the agricultural sector of the participating countries.
- Agrotravel.gr
- The official gate to Greek rural tourism.
- Bio@gro
- Bio@gro is a developing eServices system which will provide a single point of access for information on all aspects of organic agriculture.
- WhyCyprus.com
- A simple outline of Agrotourism in Cyprus. Could be used as a "template" of local companies that need an attractive text to communicate with potential visitors.
- Cyprusagrotourism.com
- A portal - a simple listing of Agrotourism providers.
- Cyprus Agrotourism Company
- Useful information and tools for agrotourism in Cyprus. Excellent Showcase
- The Cyprus Agrotourism Programme
- Agrotourism Program to revitalize the countryside and reverse urban trend.
- Successful ecotourism stories
- From Fiji, South Pacific countries and Caribbean countries.
- "Bienvenue à la ferme" National Network
- Large network of farmers developing tourism services (5600 farmers) in France.
- ECEAT-Poland
- The European Centre for Ecological Agriculture and Tourism in Poland. It help you to point out some of the best places, you can spend your holidays on one or more farms where farming is done on a small scale and in an environmentally friendly way or perhaps you will stay in small bed & breakfasts, often in people's own homes, in cottages or on small campgrounds. In 2001 ECEAT-Poland with the project 'Ecotourism on organic farms - Holiday on an organic farm' was winner of the prize "Tourism for Tomorrow 2001" sponsored by British Airways and the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- AGRIVACANCES
- A regional network in a very touristy area with farmers offering agritourism services on their own web sites, including farms and rural lodging. Examples of farm visits: Apiculture,Chestnut trees, Caprine husbandry, Cattle breading and cheese, Horse stockbreeder, Ovine husbandry, Bulls breading, Market garden produce, Olive growing, Frangant patches, Rice growing, Viticulture, equestrian farm, discovery farm, etc.
- Countryside tourism in Lithuania
- Countryside vacations in Lithuania. Information about agrotourism in Lithuania. List of farmsteads, rural crafts and places of interest.
- Why rural tourism is no picnic
- By James Arnold - BBC News Online business reporter.
- EuroGites
- the European Federation for Farm and Village Tourism (24 countries of Europe).
- Agritourism Europe
- Portal on Agritourism and Farm Holidays, Eco-Holidays, Farm Stay Holidays in Europe.
- EU-AgriNet
- EU funded agricultural portal featuring a project "OPTOUR - Opportunities for and barriers to tourism-led integrated rural development in rural regions of selected Member States".
- Challenges and Strategies for Rural Tourism
- 3rd European Congress on Rural Tourism. Date: September 26/28, 2007, Place: Eger - Hungary. Very interesting materials.
- ECEAT
- European Centre for Eco Agro Tourism, promoting sustainable tourism, farm holidays, green tourist Guides and staying at environment friendly ecological farms, country estates, campings, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts.
Agritourism presents a number of income opportunities for farmers and provides new travel opportunities for tourists.
Here are some agritourism ideas, both seasonal and year-round:
- Bed & Breakfast operations. Turning your home into a get-away for people wanting to experience rural life.
- Farm & Ranch Recreation, including Farm Stays, and Farm Visits. Guests participate in and learn about farm activities. The business usually furnishes horse guides, tack, food, lodging, canoes or other equipment. While a farm stay usually involves overnight stays, farm visits are generally less than one day.
- Roadside Farm Stands. Produce sold direct to consumers from an on-farm stand or kiosk located on or near his farm or along a road near the farm.
- U-Pick or Pick Your Own Operations. The customers themselves harvest the fruits or products at farms or orchards.
- Corn Mazes. A unique experience for all ages.
- Agritourists often try to learn new skills, such as: horse-riding, making honey, cheese, preserves or wine, baking bread, milking cows, feeding chickens, etc.
US-based agritourism
- Alternative Enterprises and Agritourism
- By The Natural Resources Conservation Service - the Federal agency that works in partnership with the American people to conserve and sustain natural resources on private lands.
- Mississippi AgriTourism
- Agritourism is a fast growing part of the future of Agriculture in Mississippi. Expanding the farm to include agritourism can provide the means for keeping the farm financially sound. Agritourism is one alternative for improving the income and potential economic viability of small farms while benefiting visitors by offering a diversity of agriculture experiences.
- USDA - National Agricultural Library (Tourism)
- Provides links to tourism organizations and federal agencies, planning information, best practices, funding programs, state tourism offices, data, and online publication on rural tourism. Agritourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, heritage tourism and more.
- Fact Sheets for Managing Agri- and Nature-Tourism Operations
- The Small Farm Center provides services throughout California. It's a part of the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Tennessee Agritourism Initiative: Turning Small Farms into Big Opportunities
- By Center for Profitable Agriculture, Spring Hill, TN.
- Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism Handbook
- Guide to help farm and ranch operators (and other individuals who grow or process food products) market their products and services directly to the consumer. By Dept. of Agricultural & Resource Economics, The University of Arizona.
- Agritorism in Virginia
- Resources from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
- Considerations for Agritourism Development
- By NY Sea Grant.
- Considerations for Agritainment - GA
- Resources on Georgia agritourism and agritainment.
Read other travelers' reviews
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Agritourism in action - YouTube videos from all over the world
curated content from YouTube
curated content from YouTube
Books on agritourism - from Amazon.com
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Please tell us if you've ever tried rural travel (agritourism). How did you like it?
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