Agritourism

Sponsored by Tour Colorado

What is Agritourism?

Agritourism is the packaging of tourism-related products and services with an agriculture-based operation or activity for the primary purposes of providing enjoyment, education or agribusiness expertise and practices for the public. Agritourism destinations most commonly include working farms, ranches, vineyards, orchards and horticulture sites. Consumers of agritourism typically include leisure travelers, families, schools, universities, civic groups, farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals or specialists. Agritourism often assists in drawing new travelers to a region, building local economies, creating employment opportunities, increasing visibility of particular agricultural products or establishments and providing additional sources of income to the agricultural venues themselves.

Agritourism Market Facts

• 26% of NTA tour operators offer agritourism product.
• More than 33,000 farms provide agritourism services valued at $704 million. (Source: 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture; most recent survey to date)
• 62 million people visit each year on farms, ranches and wineries.
• 2.4 million people visited California farms and ranches generating more than $35 million in revenue. (Source: California Agriculture Journal)

Types of Agritourism Activities

• Technical tours of an agribusiness operation
• Professional workshops or instruction on new agriculture techniques or technologies
• Tours of a farm, orchard or vineyard
• Picking fruit or vegetables on a farm, orchard or vineyard
• Lectures and educational experiences about farming machinery
  and equipment
• Guest stays on a farm or B&B
• Farm-work experiences
• Walking through a corn maze
• Petting and feeding animals
• Sleigh, wagon, hay and horseback rides
• Observing beehives and honey production
• Watching a cheese-making process
• Pumpkin patch picking
• Participating in a cattle drive
• Planting, gardening, harvesting
• Researching a site’s operations and facilities for educational or business purposes
• Attending a local agribusiness expo, tradeshow or event

Colorado is the only state with dedicated support to the development and promotion of agritourism.  As a result, tour operators will find a wide assortment of on-site farm and ranch experiences, tours and products. Groups can visit lavender farms, wild horse ranches, vineyards, breweries, distilleries, orchards, sustainable practicing farms, and dairy and cheese making facilities.  Add something truly Colorado to your tour itinerary, like a farm or ranch experience.  Your group will love it. | colorado.com/meetings-and-tours