Agritourism

A lodging cottage in a rural area of Lithuania

Rural building in Covasna, Romania

A herb farm in Indiana

Sign disclaiming legal responsibility at a Kansas agritourism business

Agritourism or agrotourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. Agritourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy. Elsewhere, agritourism includes a wide variety of activities, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, slopping hogs, picking fruit, feeding animals, or staying at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on a farm.^[1]

Agritourism is a form of niche tourism that is considered a growth industry in many parts of the world, including Australia,^[2] Canada,^[3] the United States,^[4] and the Philippines.^[5] Other terms associated with agritourism are "agritainment", "value added products", "farm direct marketing" and "sustainable agriculture".

Public awareness

People have become more interested in how their food is produced. They want to meet farmers and processors and talk with them about what goes into food production.^[6] For many people who visit farms, especially children, the visit marks the first time they see the source of their food, be it a dairy cow, an ear of corn growing in a field, or an apple they can pick right off a tree.^[6]

Farmers and ranchers use this interest to develop traffic at their farm or ranch, and interest in the quality of their products, as well as awareness of their products.^[7]

Safety

While revenue and education are often primary drivers for farmers to diversify their operations and invite guests onto their property, safety isn't always a top priority. Accidents involving tractors, wagon rides, trips, falls, and traffic occur at agritourism operations on a regular basis.^[8]

Agritourism by country

Switzerland

• Jucker Farm in Seegräben, a canton of Zürich

Italy

The country-hotel scene has come on apace since 1960, when the Michelin guide to Italy listed not a single establishment in the Chianti area. But even after the boom in rural accommodation in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the choice was still limited, by and large, to basic agriturismo farm-holiday places or rather stuffy country-house hotels. The past few years have seen the arrival of a handful of stylish luxury spa resorts, and some mid-range options where guests benefit from a hands-on, personal approach.

Since 1985 agritourism in Italy is formally regulated by a state law,^[9] emended in 2006.^[10] The law states basic requirements to claim the title of "agriturismo", and delegates single regions to further regulate the matter.

Italian agritourism attract visitors from all around the globe. In particular, given the luxury nature of rural tourism, international flows are demand-driven.

India

Since 2004 Agriculture Tourism is operational, it started in Baramati Agri Tourism Center under the guidance of Pandurang Taware. He received the National Tourism Award from the President Of India, for the most innovative Tourism Product. Agri Tourism India (ATDC) is pioneer in the development and marketing of agri tourism concept in India. ATDC, as of 2014, has 218 affiliated farmers and operates agri tourism center in their respective villages in the state of Maharashtra.

Turkey

In the province of Hatay, The village of Vakifli has a small eco and cultural tourism industry, as it is often touted as the last rural village in Turkey where Armenians live. The small village has a guest house where visitors can buy organic products and see the life of the village. There is potential for ecotourism in the Aegean area of Western Turkey as well, and is a growing industry there.

United States

Agritourism is widespread in the United States.^[11] Agritourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables, riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine and cheesemaking, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts.

According to the USDA Cooperative State, Education and Extension Service, "Tourism is becoming increasingly important to the U.S. economy. A conservative estimate from the Federal Reserve Board in Kansas, based on 2000 data, shows that basic travel and tourism industries accounted for 3.6 percent of all U.S. employment. Even more telling, data from the Travel Industry Association of America indicate that 1 out of every 18 people in the U.S. has a job directly resulting from travel expenditures".^[12][13][14]

Through the Small Farm Center at the University of California, "Agricultural tourism or agritourism, is one alternative for improving the incomes and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities. Some forms of agritourism enterprises are well developed in California, including fairs and festivals. Other possibilities still offer potential for development".^[15] The UC Small Farm Center has developed a California Agritourism Database that "provides visitors and potential entrepreneurs with information about existing agritourism locations throughout the state".^[16]

The publication Promoting Tourism in Rural America explains the need for planning and marketing a rural community and weighing the pros and cons of tourism. According to the publication, local citizen participation is helpful and should be included in starting any kind of a tourism program. Citizen participation in planning tourism can contribute to building a successful program that enhances the community.^[17] Additional websites that promote and publicize agritourism in the United States include Rural Bounty,^[11] founded by agritourism consultant Jane Eckert, Farm Stay U.S.,^[18] a nationwide directory of farm stays, and The Farm Stay Project,^[4] a blog that profiles farm stays and tracks agritourism news.

Pakistan

The Agri-Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (ATDCP) is a non-government, not-for-profit organization, aiming to connect people through food, farms and education, working to promote Agritourism idea in Pakistan. ATDCP educates consumers about an organic, healthy life style, raises awareness about food from "farm to dining table", and introduces agri-tourism & entertainment farming to explore the beauty of agri fields and farm-fresh feelings.

ATDCP also works as a training institute for Agripreneurs, where the latter are trained in consumer organic style needs. ATDCP introduces a new breed of Agripreneurs to the business of agri-tourism & entertainment farming for agricultural students and the farming community. It organises agricultural events, agri-themed festivals, agri-field trips and field activities, agri-field picnic parties for school kids and for the community to explore agritourism ideas in Pakistan. Tariq Tanveer is the CEO & founder.

Dude ranches

Dude (or guest) ranches offer tourists the chance to work on cattle ranches, and sometimes participate in cattle drives.

The fact sheet, Promoting the Farm and Ranch Recreation Business, gives farmers and ranchers information on marketing and developing strategies to win tourism dollars.^[19] Dude ranches are common in the United States and Australian Outback.

See also

• Agricultural show
• Ecotourism
• Farm stay
• Geotourism
• Rural tourism
• WWOOF - 'Willing Workers on Organic Farms'

References

External links

• "Agritourism Safety - Integrating Safety into Agritourism". Integrating Safety into Agritourism. Retrieved 2016-02-18. , an online resource developed by the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) in 2007.
• OTR/L, Robin Tutor-Marcom MPH; RN, Annette Greer PhD MSN; PhD, Maria Clay; Ellis, Tammy; Thompson, Tami; MPH, Esther Seisay Adam-Samura (2013-04-01). "Qualitative Assessment of Agritourism Safety Guidelines: A Demonstration Project". Journal of Agromedicine. 18 (2): 107–116. ISSN 1059-924X. PMID 23540301. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2013.766146. 

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Agritourism.