Many travelers today are choosing their destination based on the eco-friendly business practices followed by hotels and tourist attractions. As part of citizens in a global world, they not only want to protect the environment but they also want to witness how that is done and experience it themselves. Beyond the typical tourist attractions of sky scrapers, highways, and stressed urban lives, agritourism offers an alternative that creates unique experiences: the combination of entertainment, adventure, education, shopping, culinary, holistic and perhaps even a nostalgic feeling of living a simple life in the countryside.
A segment of rural tourism is referred to as nature-based tourism, ecotourism or sometimes recreation-based tourism. Ecotourism and Agritourism have many overlapping aspects and can occur at the same time. Professionals consider the latter a subset of the former. Ecotourism is defined as “a responsible travel to fragile, pristine and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and often small scale” (Honey, 2008), which also includes concern for nature conservation and improving the welfare of the local people. While Agritourism is defined “most broadly, involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch“ (Biuso, 2007).
The main objectives behind agritourism are sustainable rural development and the supplementary income for farmers and farming communities. Additional benefits include job creation, tourist expenditure in other local businesses, preservation of rural lifestyles that are historically and culturally based on agriculture, conservation of the natural landscape and renovation of rundown properties (Eckert). As such, agritourism enterprises that are well coordinated and managed can have a positive impact on their local rural economy. For example, they can support the promotion of the region by appointing agents to act as a central booking agents.
Altough agritourism occurs in many places and is an enduring sector of tourism, it still faces limited recognition due to the fact that it is often seen as a supplementary activity or hobby-business of the practitioners or the enterprises owner. Also, it is not recognized as a separate tourism sector but as part of other developed tourism sectors.
Since the pronunciation of agritourism as an independent tourism category, the sector has experience significant development and now can offer formal products, sophisticated marketing and management techniques. Visitors today can book online a bed and breakfast, excursions in safe accredited environments or an interactive tour with participation of farmers, growers and chefs that leads to the discovery of geographically distinctive foods and drinks. This last part known as culinary agritourism( The washington state tourism).For instance, it includes wine tourism, beer tourism and spa cuisine.
There is the prejudice that rural tourism is a low-budget and low quality tourism sector. In order to improve the image, agritourism need marketing focused on qualitative and educational aspects of the products as well as innovative products. In the next stage, agritourism products and resources should be promoted by agri-specific branding and accreditation, in order further develop agritourism.
Due to developments in agritourism and the interests of sustainability in wider tourism, the tourism industry will have to make stronger links with agriculture, and as a result new relationships and products will be formed gradually. Agritourism therefore is an enduring tourism trend.
Hello Lucia,
nature-based tourism has in fact become an emerging tourism trend during the past years, especially due to its linkage to the broad aspect of sustainability, and the raised awareness of travelers to eco-friendly experiences. In your article you point out correctly, that there is still some work to do, whether marketing, branding or accreditation, in order to further develop that niche sector.
Having been to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef last year, I can personally relate to the aspect of sustainability and how important it is for each one of us to consume tourism products in a way, that doesn’t affect their long-term appearance.
The next question for the tourism industry should be: how to raise awareness and to interest future travelers in that topic, further research and further recognition included.
Hi Lucia,
I really like your topic. I would like to add that rural tourism associations play an important role in the sector’s development. For example, Latvian Country Tourism Association has developed the quality requirements and divides the rural tourism accommodations into four categories. There is also an environmental quality label called the “Green Certificate” for such accommodations which practising environment-friendly management. The association also implements regular marketing activities to promote the rural tourism in the country. Such associations have gained a great recognition in the sector.
Really interesting topic Lucia!
You mention that agritourism has image of low-budget and low quality tourism sector. I supposed because of that many countries,although they have the resources and the traditions in farming, do not make attempts to develop agritourism, which is a pity.
Another point of view is that the overdevelopment of the sector might be followed up by artificial supply – creating attractions of such kind in destinations, which do not have traditions in agriculture, in order to satisfy the demand.
Hi Lucia, an interesting topic to explore. I missed your references and sources, was searching for more! Also your own opinion on the topic appears to be hidden, you can be a bit more explicit.
Hi Lucia,
Good topic! Agritourism, as you pointed out has a great potential to develop rural communities and directly supplement local incomes, especially now that internet platforms are allowing for more direct contact between the suppliers and guests.
You mentioned the low quality often associated with agritourism establishments which stems from the providers having little expertise in the hospitality industry. I have noted that there has recently been an emergence of ’boutique’ agritourism experiences in Tuscany, for example. However, as Yulia pointed out these are more focusing on hospitality and have a more contrived feel when it comes to the farm experience. It would be interesting to see if a high quality offer can be created without losing its authenticity, and if it can be replicated successfully.
Hello Lucia,
Great article. I also share the same thoughts with you on the marketing aspect of Agritourism. Many countries including my country are practicing Agritourism on passive basis or adding it to other activities as an extra “thing to do” rather than positioning it as a distinctive product. I think in countries where Agritourism is existing collaboration between the tourism boards, the local community (suppliers of the product) and the tour operators should be strengthened in order to package well and promote Agritourism as an emerging tourism trend.
Increased income is another important aspect Agritourism brings to the local community especially the poor who normally depend on substance farming for their lively hood as the income is directly paid to the owner of the farms or through the local associations.
Hi Lucia,
I think you have chosen an interesting topic as many tourists in our days find this way of exploring places very interesting. The countries who are referred as being high developed practise different kind of (modern) agriculture where almost everything is grown in greenhouses.
I was always surprised to see how tourists in my country react on cows, ships and other animals crossing the main road outside the big cities, there astonishment grew up when the drivers instead of letting them pass started driving ‘slalom’ between them. People while travelling want to stop time and go back in the reality that does not happen in their countries any more. Being in nature and having a chance to participate in the local peoples lifestyle is an adventure for many travellers.
I think you managed to show positive and also poor sides of agro and nature based tourism in your article. Style of writing is also good, only it is pity that you did not include references as sometimes it is difficult to understand where you cite an article and where yourself.
Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be at the internet the easiest thing to remember of. I say to you, I certainly get irked at the same time as other folks consider issues that they just do not realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as outlined out the whole thing without having side effect , other folks could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you