Hi all thought I’d just point out about the possibilty of fellowships to study a skill we need in Australia. I started my agritourism venture with one of these and it’s been an amazing journey so I’d fully recommend giving it a go if you can think of a skill shortage. The scope is broad, I studied how they market agritourism while one of my colleagues, who received a fellowship the same year as I, went to Italy to study how the Italians make their Prosecco sparkling wine, you are only limited by your imagination.

Go to the link www.issinstitute.org.au for more details, applications due in October for most.

Good luck, Pauline

I came across Jane’s business on the net and thought you may be interested. She has a number of publications for sale on setting up your own agritourism business so why not have a look. I’ve ordered two and look forward to reading them. Jane has been in contact with me so hopefully we can work together on opposite sides of the world to grow agritourism. Cheers Pauline

Jane’s site

http://www.eckertagrimarketing.com/

We’re very excited our new site is really underway and we should have somehting to show you very soon…so stay tuned! Regards Pauline

If you are considering going into agritourism one of the things you need to put some energy into is ensuring the health and safety of your visitors. This is an American site but it has some great tips so have a look.

Regards Pauline

http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nccrahs/default.aspx?page=nccrahs_resources

Articles

http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2009/03/19/government-planning-a-boost-for-food-tourism.html

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/agritourism-the-new-cash-crop-20090705-d8p6.html

http://business.globaltimes.cn/world/2009-08/455594.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/05/2646745.htm

http://www.australiantropicalfoods.com/index.php/2009/07/agri-tourism-the-new-cash-crop/

http://www.smh.com.au/national/agritourism-the-new-cash-crop-20090704-d8i4.html

http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10783-Agri-Tourism-Opportunities-Around-the-World.html

http://www.lib.niu.edu/2004/ic040110.html

happy reading, Pauline

Corrado and I had a great time at the Tourism Futures Conference last week. There was a very positive response to my presentation on recommendations for agritourism growth in Australia with many rural government bodies interested in hearing more and a few suggesting I visit their area. I hope to pursue these contacts in the near future in order to access farmers directly to explain the concepts and discuss product development ideas. Cheers Pauline

It is great to see there are people all over the world commited to rural tourism, including agritourism,  growth. A blog posted on this site came from Canada and it appears Edward has been doing some great things for rural tourism. Have a look at his blog http://www.theruraltourist.blogspot.com/

It’s encouraging to find another supporter for agritourism growth in Australia, cheers Pauline

In just a few weeks the Tourism Futures Conference will take place on the Gold Coast, registrations are still open if you are interested, http://www.tourismfutures.com.au/ . Michelle Farquhar, the media consultant for the conference, explained a little of the conference history to me-;

Tourism Futures is the premier national event for government policy makers and the leaders within the industry. It has a forward looking agenda, aiming to forecast out through the next decade. It was founded by Queensland Tourism in the wake of 9/11, SARS and the collapse of Ansett – today is sponsored by Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation and Gold Coast
Tourism.

I have been scheduled to speak on agritourism and the possibilities for Australia on the first day of the conference, 17 August and I welcome the opportunity to put agritourism on the government agenda. With so many government bodies now interested in agritourism we are sure to see its growth. In fact I know the Bureau of Rural Sciences is currently working on a research document into agritourism – this is good news for the industry.

This is a great time for farmers to start thinking about moving into this growing industry and it’s a great time for the public to start considering holidaying on farms.

Till next time, regards Pauline

Australia has so many beautiful rural spots to enjoy some good food and wine! Imagine a range of agritourism products all over the country; a sign in every town pointing to local agritourism businesses, that’s what we found in Italy and that’s what we can develop in Australia.

We’re here to help anyone wanting to start such a business so please ask for ideas if you are searching for some, regards Pauline