Types of agritourism

The types of agritourism , can falls in the following categories:

1) Agritourism in farm property with board and lodging in the house of the farmer.
This is the classical type of agritourism, where the tourist stays in the farmhouse. Usually, this type of tourism is more suitable for budget tourists and those that want to participate in farm activities (eg. In wine making in Portugal and Italy) and to know the life in the countryside. The farm property usually offers sports activities or chances for swimming, trekking, climbing, horse-riding etc.

2) Agritourism with accommodation –related activities- and “non accommodation”. Some farms abroad participate in both distinguish between accommodation and recreation enterprises. In a simple list of agritourism elements, many of which are used for tourism purposes, is provided by  for instance in New Zealand provide to the traveler board and lodging, with the host family, while learning organic methods of agriculture or horticulture in exchange for, typically four hours work a day .

3) Agritourism in self catering independent accommodation.
This type of agrotourism is very common in Greece, as it requires less work from the part of the farmer while it retains the privacy of guest and the farmer as well.

4) All types of camping inside the farmers’ property.
This is common in England and Ireland, and it is directed in families that are in a budget. The farmer apart from the place usually provides water, food etc.

5) Agritourism in protected areas that are created for this purpose, (National Parks)
Law protects these areas while they are imposed limitations in building permission. The communities of these regions –operate usually on cooperative basis- build pension or areas for camping and accept visitors that are keen on sports, natural life, on farm etc. Usually these communities that take part in these programs they play significant role on the management of these areas. This type of tourism is over commercialized and combined with “green tourism”


6) Cooperative agritourism
There are two types: Either they are in lodging in agritourist region or on farm or many agritourism farms together. In Greece, women cooperatives try to give the feeling of a friendly environment while they protect the cultural elements of the region- host. At the same time, It is promoted the consumption of local produce (Greek cheeses, weaver, pottery,) that women of cooperatives make. However, the stay of the tourist is not necessary.
7) Agritourism in houses that are built in traditional materials in order to be like old, “Staged authenticity” or tourism “retro”
This type of agritourism is of growing interest the last years. An infrastructure of gifts shops, tavernas, etc is developed respecting the local environment. These complexes are enterprises and no farmers. Tourists do not participate in farm life of the region. McKannel named this “Staged authenticity” as a whole village is created.
As it become evident there are many types of agritourism depending exclusively on the tradition of a country. Specifically:

• Agritourism in region of a product e.g wine
• Agritourism high-class e.g Towers, and castles of Tuscany
• Extensive sports infrastructure e.g tennis courts, swimming pools etc
• Organize in local or state unions the possibility the tourism to select according to advertised prices and promotion.
• Creation of farm museums ( farm tools ) so that the tourism will learn about the farm life.
• Training of farmers for better services

In a study farm houses in France concluded: Tourism in order to have positive results in agriculture activity on the tourism income it should not be enough to live on it. If that is not happening then “the future is unknown and the continuity depends on the farmer’s personality.”

Celia Manou from "Pyli"