Could your farm already be an agritourism business? - interview with District Life NZ

When people hear the word agritourism, they often picture luxury accommodation developments or major visitor attractions.
But according to Agritourism NZ founder and chief executive Marijke Dunselman, many farmers already have what they need for an agritourism business sitting right under their noses.

It could simply be looking at what is already there through a different lens.

"Farms already have the land and often a lot of assets they can work with," Dunselman says.

That might include huts, shearers' quarters, farm cottages, scenery, stunning views, historic buildings or experiences.

Or, simply a chance for visitors to experience life on a real working farm.

"Visitors are increasingly looking for real, personal New Zealand experiences," Dunselman says.

"They want to see what real people do and what life on a farm is actually like."

Agritourism combines agriculture and tourism, to diversify farm income and give visitors a chance to experience rural New Zealand.

It's not just accommodation
While farm stays remain popular, agritourism can take many forms.

Some farmers offer guided farm tours, animal encounters, horse trekking, harvesting experiences or farm-to-table dining. Others have converted existing buildings into accommodation or developed walking trails through their properties.

Multi-day walks and cycling experiences are among the fastest-growing areas, while off-grid locations and even properties with limited cellphone coverage can be attractive to visitors looking to disconnect.

Research into South Island agritourism businesses found many operators started small and built on what they already had, rather than investing heavily from day one. Common offerings included farm tours, accommodation and selling products produced on the farm.

The same research found many farmers were motivated not just by income, but by a desire to share their lifestyle, preserve the history of their property and educate visitors about farming.

You don't have to do it yourself
One of the biggest misconceptions about agritourism is that farmers need to run the tourism business themselves.

In reality, there are many different business models.

Some agritourism ventures are operated by people who live on the farm. Others involve partnerships where the farmer provides the land, infrastructure and farming experience while another person manages the visitor side of the business.

For people with tourism, hospitality or marketing experience but no land of their own, partnering with a farmer can create opportunities that benefit both parties.

"There are different models and ways of making it work," Dunselman says. .... Read on

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