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News Article - Tourism
EC taps into agritourism
Posted on: Friday, 28 July 2006. Article source: The Herald
Emerging and commercial farmers, together with their tourism counterparts, see agritourism as a means of ensuring the sustainability of hundreds of emerging and commercial farms.
Simply put, agritourism is a particular style of vacation in which hospitality and other services are offered on farms. It may include assisting with farming tasks during the visit.
Equally important, agritourism is a very necessary option for those operations where farm products are no longer economically competitive.
In 2003, 7% of 1, 8 million foreign tourists spent part of their holiday in South Africa on farms. In that year, these tourists spent about R54-million in the country.
Agritourism is not new to the world or to South Africa. It has been practised in wine-growing regions such as Italy, France and Spain, as well as in the Western Cape.
In America, agritourism is widespread and includes any farm open to the public at least part of the year.
For example, in the state of Vermont, $19,5-million (R140-million) of farm income was created by agritourism in 2002.
The Eastern Cape, a province that measures almost 170 000kmē and which is largely agricultural, provides a good case for agritourism.
The province has a solid base in agriculture which continues to grow.
It is increasingly involved in the production of exciting produce such as aloe ferox, essential oils, sugar beet, and agave.
It also has appeal with tourists who enjoy its existing natural attractions.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation - which has interests in tourism related projects valued at R500-million - is a key proponent of agritourism and has given financial support to the Kuzuko Game Reserve which has strong agritourism elements.
A private sector expansion of the Addo Elephant Park on its northern boundary, Kuzuko is the country's largest 100-year contractual park.
The reserve, which opens early next year, has provided 20 hectares to the local community for producing vegetables ranging from cabbages, beetroot, onions, spinach, and garlic to carrots to potatoes.
About 1 000 hectares have been allocated for Nguni cattle grazing, as well as other livestock activities such as poultry and piggery.
Another agritourism venture is the Eastern Cape flower trail, which brings together the cut flower industry into a strongly branded trail.
The trail will stretch from the Great Coega in the east to Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve to the west.
The area is well known for its indigenous fynbos which includes a range of protea varieties.
This column was written by Eastern Cape Development Corporation project development manager Ken Bern.
Simply put, agritourism is a particular style of vacation in which hospitality and other services are offered on farms. It may include assisting with farming tasks during the visit.
Equally important, agritourism is a very necessary option for those operations where farm products are no longer economically competitive.
In 2003, 7% of 1, 8 million foreign tourists spent part of their holiday in South Africa on farms. In that year, these tourists spent about R54-million in the country.
Agritourism is not new to the world or to South Africa. It has been practised in wine-growing regions such as Italy, France and Spain, as well as in the Western Cape.
In America, agritourism is widespread and includes any farm open to the public at least part of the year.
For example, in the state of Vermont, $19,5-million (R140-million) of farm income was created by agritourism in 2002.
The Eastern Cape, a province that measures almost 170 000kmē and which is largely agricultural, provides a good case for agritourism.
The province has a solid base in agriculture which continues to grow.
It is increasingly involved in the production of exciting produce such as aloe ferox, essential oils, sugar beet, and agave.
It also has appeal with tourists who enjoy its existing natural attractions.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation - which has interests in tourism related projects valued at R500-million - is a key proponent of agritourism and has given financial support to the Kuzuko Game Reserve which has strong agritourism elements.
A private sector expansion of the Addo Elephant Park on its northern boundary, Kuzuko is the country's largest 100-year contractual park.
The reserve, which opens early next year, has provided 20 hectares to the local community for producing vegetables ranging from cabbages, beetroot, onions, spinach, and garlic to carrots to potatoes.
About 1 000 hectares have been allocated for Nguni cattle grazing, as well as other livestock activities such as poultry and piggery.
Another agritourism venture is the Eastern Cape flower trail, which brings together the cut flower industry into a strongly branded trail.
The trail will stretch from the Great Coega in the east to Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve to the west.
The area is well known for its indigenous fynbos which includes a range of protea varieties.
This column was written by Eastern Cape Development Corporation project development manager Ken Bern.
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