Agriculture for pleasure

A high number of farmers practicing agritourism are approaching retirement and want to continue indulging their passion for rural life by welcoming strangers into their farms. Younger farmers have a different vision. Their priority is to find the financial investment required to take over a farm. Those who then succeed in embarking on a career in agriculture often do so with the help of their parents. The development of agritourism is a family project.

While there may be differences in terms of age, the reasons for this kind of farming are influenced by the geography of the region. Indeed, in Luxembourg, the pragmatic side is prioritized. “The size of the farms is important. Some farmers decide that it is better to occupy the available space. Some consider that they are rich enough and do not need to add an extra preoccupation. Whatever the case may be, the people of Luxembourg have never really had a culture or tradition of welcoming tourists and when they go on holiday, they usually travel far from home”, explains Charline Dubois, as she repeats verbatim what the farmers who were interviewed said. In Wallonia, things are different. Visitors enjoy a very friendly welcome on the part of the farmers. “Most farmers from Wallonia seek contact with people; they want to open up their living space. It is the holidaymakers who visit them because most of these farmers do not have time to travel”, considers the geographer.

This need to meet other people is often initiated by the female partner. She wishes to occupy a more important place in the process of production and acquire a financial responsibility and independence in relation to the male partner. In the commercial context generated by tourism, the female partner can then call upon skills that she previously executed for free. “It is therefore often the farmer’s wife who takes care of the agritourism while the farmer himself looks after the agricultural activity”, affirms the researcher.

An activity encompassing several areas

Agritourism is far from being a standardized and well-known brand. In Wallonia and Luxembourg, the classification of agritourism is complex. According to Charline Dubois, it is be necessary to break it down into several “sectors” of activity (fig. 3). The “accommodation” sector, which is by far the most represented, describes the renting of country guest houses, B&B or camping. The formula of the country guest house is often offered because it represents the simplest solution for the farmer; you only need to give a key to the tourists whilst allowing them a maximum amount of autonomy. On the other hand, camping is rarely offered (only some farms in Wallonia work in this way). The “gastronomy” sector is becoming more and more fashionable and refers to a concept of restaurant on the farm where local products are used. The “teaching/information” activity makes it possible to offer courses on the farm to inform people about the farming profession. The “hiring” activity makes farm buildings available (for family parties, dinners etc.) and meadows (for scout camps or open-air activities). Finally, there is the “leisure and activities” sector which involves a multitude of activities for the wider public: ice-cream making on the farm, baking, golf on farm, horse-riding activities, sign-posted walks, biking, lake-swimming, fishing and hunting etc. A sensual experience is often sought by agritourists. Increasingly, new and original activities are being created: “There are transparent spherical balls in the middle of fields and which are equipped for sleeping. So during the night you can observe the stars and wake up beside a cow that is just outside the spherical ball”, says a bemused and somewhat amused Charline.