The next step in the study by the young researcher from Liege is to construct a model showing the links between different types of agritourism and types of countryside. “I wanted to define agritourist regions but this is very complicated because there are many kinds.  Yes, there are certain links but it is not possible to regionalize. I have been able to demonstrate links between certain types of agritourism and a typology of the limited types of countryside (crop-growing, breeding, mixed farming and forests) to which I first added factors linked to accessibility to the tourist destination and the agricultural environment and then filters of development such as competition from the real estate market”, she explains. Therefore, in those regions strongly devoted to crop-growing, like Hesbaye, agritourism is developing less often by virtue of the fact that tourists generally want to see agricultural activity and preferably, animals. Consequently, in these regions, agritourism is centred more on gastronomy or the hiring of rooms. Conversely, hilly regions such as the Ardennes are more oriented towards forestry. Agritourist operators advertise the sports and thrill-seeking aspect of agritourism.

Finally, the mixed category seems to be the ideal solution to be developed. The farmer can focus on different activities such as contact with the animals, discovering different types of crops, signposted walks etc. Condroz and Pays de Herve are suitable for the development of this type of agritourism which is aimed at a demanding family-based clientele.

Farmers are not necessarily aware of the link mentioned above. Their reasoning is based on other more obvious factors. From the outset your budget must be well thought-out. “You need to see what you can do with your money. Investing in a country guest-house is just like investing in a house, it’s something important”, states Charline Dubois. Farmers then ask various practical questions: Do we have any buildings free? How big are they?  What do we want to do with them? Do we want to see people? Would we prefer country guesthouse or B&B? Is the region tourist-friendly? Is the region calm? “Here, things become more complicated, affirms Charline, because certain people will prefer holidays in a remote location while others would like to remain in a dynamic and easily accessible region”.

After considering the physical potential, human potential comes into play. The aptitudes and qualifications of each of the members of the family are examined carefully. “If you are a farmer, you will most likely not have gone to catering college”, explains the researcher, logically. “On the other hand, if the tourist is restaurant-based, it is sensible to concentrate of the gastronomy activity. In addition, if the tourist is teaching-inclined and there are large buildings available, it could be interesting to develop a teaching-type farm activity”, she adds.

In order to encourage more investment, farmers can count on subsidies from the government. There are also partners (Accueil Champêtre (Rural welcome) in Wallonia and the association for the promotion of rural tourism Luxembourg) which, thanks to annual funding, are responsible for managing the promotion of the activity and giving advice both on a legislative level and also with regard to decoration, before any commitment is made by the would-be farmer.

The town rat and the field rat

Who to entice under one’s roof? The city-dweller or the rural person? In truth, both are necessary. There is no exact profile for those tourists who choose agritourism. Nonetheless, certain characteristics are more favorable to the practice of this type of tourism. The experience is often experienced in a family situation, during a long and relaxing weekend regardless of the time of year. Behind the shutters of a quiet holiday there is also the farm-teaching aspect. According to Charline Dubois, “Whether the parents are from town or countryside, they want to teach something to their children while at the same time rediscovering some of their roots”.