Tourism and Travel: Tourism & Travel Blog

Tourism & Travel Blog, August 2022 - Agritourism

What is Agritourism? 

Agritourism is essentially tourism-oriented around visiting, and staying on, farms and ranches – in other words, it is the intersection of tourism and agriculture. In the past, people mainly considered Australian agritourism as visits to vineyards or basic farm stays. However, agritourism in Australia has much more to offer than this. It could include eating at farm-based restaurants, shopping at farmers’ markets, or touring a region that is known for particular produce. Agritourism might be for pure enjoyment, for educational purposes, or to participate in activities. 

https://aftagriculturaltourism.com.au/guide-agritourism-australia/ 2019 

Topic resources and articles 

Agritourism search via Gale Database

Agritourism in Southwest Western Australia 

Abstract 

Agritourism is becoming an important part of the Australian tourism market providing direct and indirect benefits to agricultural businesses and rural communities across Western Australia (WA). Between 2015 and 2016, over 1.5 million tourists visited Australian farms - and whilst agritourism conjures notions of wineries and farm stays, the market has become increasingly diverse. More broadly, agritourism can be thought of as any activity supplementary to agricultural production where tourists visit working farms or other agricultural settings to participate in an interactive experience. This report emerged to better understand agritourism within WA, with the WA tourism industry still to realise the full potential of offerings across a range of agricultural related products and services. 

Food heritage down under: olive growers as Mediterranean 'food ambassadors' 

Abstract 

Among those individuals who migrate to other countries or regions, some take with them valuable aspects of their culture and traditions. Within these elements, migrants’ food heritage often becomes an integral part of their lives, accompanying them in their journey. Food heritage also evokes images, memories and pride, or motivates habitual consumption, while in other cases, it can become a lifestyle or even a source of income. By focusing on the cases of five different olive groves, whose owners are of Mediterranean background, this study examines the extent to which food culture and heritage are decisive factors in their involvement with olive growing in Australia. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted among these olive growers, information about their motivations and level of involvement in an extension of olive growing (‘olive-based agritourism’) was also gathered. The overall findings illustrate that based on their passion for olive growing, these ‘food ambassadors’ are contributing to increased knowledge, consumption, and to the preservation of a food culture. However, this process is not without its challenges, particularly as cheaper olive oils threaten the further development of their olive growing business. Implications of the findings for olive growing, olive-based agritourism, hospitality, and consumers are discussed. 

Food, community and wellbeing: An exploration of Harvest Launceston farmers’ market: Industry report 

Summary 

This report provides insights into the role of food in building community through an exploration of the perceived benefits of a farmers’ market. The project studies the perception of the social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefits that local food produce brings to a community through a case study of Harvest Launceston farmers’ market -- held weekly in Launceston, Tasmania (Australia). We explore how the market, beyond a selling point for local food, suggests a broader reflection on the cultural and social value and aesthetics of food. We explore the symbolic value of food consumption in the context of the region of Tasmania, a renowned region for the high quality of its food and agritourism. We observe food as a two-fold thematic element and explore the food as a driver of many forms of value. We observe the farmers’ market as a creative hub for sustainable food consumption, assessing its value on three levels following the dimensions suggested by Fillis et al. (2015): motivations, experiences and perspectives of patrons and stallholders. We provide some insights into the economic and environmental benefits the market provides. The impact of the cultural and social value of the market is also assessed in terms of the sense of ‘embeddedness’ and social connection around the consumption of food experiences by both locals and tourists Hinrichs (2000, p.299).