Richard Perron IUCN-CBSG Quantum Conservation e.V.

Schützenhofstraße 30 26135 Oldenburg, Germany

------6 Winchester House, Bishops Walk

Aylesbury HP21 7LD, England

Senior Experten Service

Buschstrasse 2

53113 Bonn

Germany

Tourism in the 21st Century

Ecotourism

Agritourism

Understand your terminology

Ecotourism• is a form of tourism which appeals to the

ecologically and socially conscious • focuses on local culture, wilderness adventures,

volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet

• flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions

• promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities

• premise: Sustainable development

AgrotourismAgritourism

• direct extention of ecotourism• holiday on a farm • tourists can pick fruits and vegetables, ride

horses and learn about life on the farm• visiting children have often not seen a live

chicken, duck or goat and a cow giving milk

• generally offers a unique and memorable experience for the entire family.

HOWEVER• Agritourism has been developed as a

component of a business model to support many agricultural entities when the farm products they produce are no longer economically competitive

• Farms often do not have the financial means or technical knowledge for success

• Agritourism is only one alternative for farms but thought to be an easy option

Russian experience

• Soviet farms were not profit orientated

• Management was often incompetent

• After Perestroika good people often migrated, looking for better jobs

• Change of attitude necessary but difficult

• Financial institutions have been unwilling to lend

• Russian infrastructure often makes access difficult, particularly for families with children

• Sanitation, water supply and hygiene are often not up to basic European standards

Agritourism is not a universal panacea and

foreign visitors may cause more problems

than they are worth

Fundamental considerations

• Is the enterprise practical?

• Does the market exist?

• Are management and staff available?

• Is the necessary finance available?

• Is there a medium term future?

• How will it affect the local community?

• Can it make a profit?

Consequential

• Is the business going to be ecological?

• Which changes might be necessary?

• How will the changes affect other people and animals?

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