Agritourism: How Farms are Becoming the Next Vacation Destination
When you think about vacation destinations, images of tropical beaches, bustling cities or beautiful resorts may come to mind. However, in recent years, a new vacation trend has emerged – agritourism. In a world where many are living fast-paced lives in urban environments, an appeal has been growing to reconnect with nature and enjoy more immersive experiences. Agricultural experts have identified huge potential growth for agritourism in the next decade, with some projections showing a market value increase of over 11.3 percent by 2029. This article will explore the growing popularity of agritourism, and why farms are becoming the next vacation destination.
The Appeal of Agritourism
Agritourism offers people an opportunity to escape to nature, learn more about where their food comes from, and experience fresh and local foods in a unique way. Adventure travel and local, immersive cultural experiences have begun to compete with the more standard vacation idea, and farms are stepping up to offer their visitors a unique, family-friendly experience they can’t get elsewhere.
Types of Agritourism Activities
There are a variety of different activities a farm can offer to the community. One of the most popular is a U-Pick farm, where farmers allow their visitors to pick their own fruit or vegetables. Some farms offer activities such as feeding the various animals on the farm, milking cows or perhaps even enjoying a farm-to-table meal when the day is done. Workshops and classes can teach guests new skills, like cheese-making or wine tasting. Holidays and changing seasons offer new potential activities, like haunted hay rides, pumpkin patches or corn mazes around October. Some guests are even opting to stay a few days on a working farm and participate in farming operations in order to learn more about farming practices and where their food comes from.
How Agritourism is Benefiting Farmers
Agriculture experts see great potential in farmers adopting agritourism, especially with small and mid-sized farms looking to diversify. Perhaps the most obvious way that agritourism is benefiting farmers is by providing a new stream of revenue. However, this additional revenue has been reported to be higher in farms near more urban areas.
Additional income is not the only benefit, though. In one study done in North Carolina, farmers stated that they believed educating their visitors about agriculture and preserving their farms and farmland were actually some of the greatest benefits of agritourism. Opening up their farms to the public helped to strengthen that tie between farmer and consumer, and put the importance of the farm into the forefront of their community’s mind.
Conclusion
Agritourism is growing, which offers a welcome alternative to traditional vacation destinations. It allows travelers to escape to nature, learn about farming and enjoy fresh, locally sourced food. With its educational, family-friendly appeal, agritourism is providing meaningful and authentic experiences to travelers looking for a change. Farms are indeed becoming the next vacation destination, and this trend is likely to continue growing in the years to come.
