Global Agriculture Tourism Market Outlook, 2029

Global Agriculture Tourism Market Outlook, 2029

Agritourism, a fusion of agriculture and tourism, has rapidly emerged as a popular travel trend, offering a unique blend of rural charm and immersive experiences. This form of tourism invites visitors to experience the life of a farmer, understand sustainable agricultural practices, and enjoy the serene beauty of the countryside. As more travelers seek meaningful, eco-friendly vacations, agritourism has gained traction worldwide, providing benefits for both tourists and local communities. Agritourism involves visiting working farms or agricultural operations for enjoyment, education, and active participation in the farm's activities. This can range from staying on a farm, picking fruits, and tending to animals, to learning about crop cultivation and sustainability practices. The core idea is to bridge the gap between urban and rural life, offering visitors a firsthand experience of agriculture while contributing to the local economy. Agritourism provides an additional revenue stream for farmers, helping them diversify their income and reduce reliance on traditional agricultural markets. This economic boost supports rural development, creates jobs, and helps sustain local traditions and cultures. For urban dwellers, agritourism offers a valuable educational experience. Visitors can learn about organic farming, animal husbandry, and sustainable practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the food supply chain and the environment. Educational programs tailored for schools, families, and groups can significantly enhance this experience. Agritourism often highlights sustainable farming techniques, such as organic agriculture, permaculture, and renewable energy use. By showcasing these practices, agritourism promotes environmental stewardship and encourages visitors to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Agritourism also facilitates cultural exchange. Visitors can engage with local traditions, cuisine, and festivals, providing a richer understanding of the region's heritage. This exchange benefits both the guests and the hosts, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Tier 1 companies are well-positioned to attract a broad demographic, including eco-conscious travelers, families, and adventure seekers. They are successfully tapped into the rising demand for authentic and immersive farm experiences. They offer diverse accommodations and activities across various locations. Their expansion is focused on strategic partnerships with local farms, aggressive marketing campaigns, and a strong online presence.

According to the research report, “Global Agritourism Market Outlook, 2029” published by Bonafide Research, the market is anticipated to cross USD 12 Billion by 2029, increasing from USD 7.96 Billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow with 7.77% CAGR by 2024-29. The market growth is primarily attributed to shifts in farmers' behavior, and the rising inclination towards entrepreneurship around the globe. Moreover, the growing trend of taking a healthy and relaxing holiday on lush green farms, riding a bullock cart, milking a cow, and driving a tractor is significantly accelerating the market growth. Furthermore, the increasing popularity and growing opportunities for agricultural manufacturers in agro-tourism are expected to accelerate the market growth. In addition to this, according to the Census of Agriculture, in the U.S., nearly 28,575 farms are involved in agritourism and recreational services. The outbreak of COVID-19 around the world had badly affected the global economy. In order to break the chain and spread of the coronavirus, lockdown and social distancing guidelines were imposed by various countries across the world. This had a devastating impact on domestic and international travel globally. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a deep impact on the global agritourism industry due to travel restrictions, closed borders, and cancelations of booking around the world. According to the World Tourism Organization's most recent data, the overwhelming effects of COVID-19 on the industry caused international visitor arrivals to drop by 93.0% in June as compared to the same month in 2019. The gradually increasing popularity of farm tourism among children, urban families, and even the corporate world is expected to propel market growth throughout the forecast period. In addition, the rising demand for farm halts and growing curiosity about rural and farm activities among millennials and young minds across the globe is further boosting the market growth.

Market Drivers

• Increasing Demand for Sustainable and Authentic Travel Experiences: As travelers become more environmentally conscious, there's a growing demand for sustainable tourism options. Agritourism offers an authentic, eco-friendly travel experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature, understand agricultural practices, and support local communities. This trend is driven by a desire to escape urban life, engage in meaningful activities, and contribute to sustainable development.
• Economic Diversification for Rural Communities: Agritourism provides farmers with an additional revenue stream, helping to diversify their income sources beyond traditional agriculture. This economic benefit is a significant driver, especially in rural areas where farming may no longer be as profitable due to market fluctuations, climate change, or other challenges. By opening their farms to tourists, farmers can sustain their livelihoods while preserving rural traditions and cultures.

Market Challenges

• Sustainability and Resource Management: One of the primary challenges in agritourism is ensuring that the influx of tourists does not strain the farm's natural resources. Overuse of water, soil degradation, and increased waste are potential risks that need careful management. Balancing tourism with sustainable agricultural practices is crucial to maintaining the farm's viability and environmental health.
• Infrastructure and Accessibility: Many agritourism destinations are located in remote or rural areas with limited infrastructure. Poor road conditions, lack of public transportation, and inadequate facilities can deter tourists and limit the growth of agritourism. Improving infrastructure and accessibility is essential to making these destinations more attractive and convenient for visitors.

Market Trends

• Integration of Technology: The use of technology in agritourism is on the rise, with farms adopting digital tools for marketing, booking, and enhancing visitor experiences. Virtual farm tours, online workshops, and interactive apps that educate visitors about farming practices are becoming popular. This trend helps attract tech-savvy tourists and expands the reach of agritourism beyond physical boundaries.
• Focus on Wellness and Health Tourism: There's a growing trend towards combining agritourism with wellness and health tourism. Visitors are increasingly interested in farm experiences that promote physical and mental well-being, such as yoga retreats, farm-to-table meals, and organic food production. This trend aligns with the broader movement towards holistic health and wellness, making agritourism a key player in the wellness tourism market.

On-farm sales are leading in the agritourism market due to their ability to offer a direct, authentic connection between consumers and the source of their food, while providing farmers with immediate financial benefits.

On-farm sales, which include the direct sale of farm products such as fresh produce, dairy, meats, and value-added goods like jams or cheeses, have become a cornerstone of agritourism. These sales allow consumers to purchase products directly from the source, fostering a deeper connection to the land, the farming process, and the people behind their food. This direct interaction satisfies the growing consumer demand for transparency and trust in food sourcing, as well as the desire for high-quality, locally-produced goods. Additionally, on-farm sales provide farmers with immediate revenue, cutting out intermediaries and ensuring they receive a fair price for their products. This financial model supports the economic sustainability of farms, particularly smaller operations that might struggle in traditional retail markets. The tangible, hands-on experience of selecting and purchasing farm-fresh products also enhances the visitor experience, making it a key driver of repeat visits and word-of-mouth promotion, further solidifying on-farm sales as a leading element in the agritourism market.

Travel agents are leading in the agritourism market due to their ability to package and promote tailored agritourism experiences, providing consumers with convenient, curated, and expertly planned trips that highlight the unique offerings of rural and agricultural destinations.

Travel agents play a crucial role in the agritourism market by offering specialized services that cater to the growing demand for unique and immersive travel experiences. They leverage their expertise to curate tailored agritourism packages that combine farm stays, local food tours, agricultural workshops, and cultural experiences into cohesive itineraries. By doing so, they provide travelers with well-organized and hassle-free trips that might be challenging to plan independently. This curated approach not only saves travelers time and effort but also enhances their overall experience by ensuring that they access the best that agritourism destinations have to offer. Additionally, travel agents use their industry knowledge and connections to secure exclusive deals and provide insider tips, adding value to the travel experience. Their ability to handle logistics, reservations, and personalized recommendations makes agritourism more accessible and appealing to a broader audience, driving its growth in the market. The convenience and expertise provided by travel agents thus play a pivotal role in promoting and expanding the reach of agritourism experiences.

Group tours are leading in the agritourism market due to their ability to offer shared, cost-effective, and socially engaging experiences that appeal to a wide range of travelers, including families, friends, and organized groups.

Group tours have become a dominant trend in the agritourism market because they provide a structured, cost-effective way for multiple travelers to enjoy farm-based experiences together. These tours often include organized visits to multiple agricultural sites, such as farms, vineyards, and orchards, allowing participants to explore a variety of agritourism activities in a single trip. The shared experience of traveling with others enhances the enjoyment and social aspect of the trip, making it appealing for families, friends, and organizations seeking group outings. Moreover, group tours often benefit from economies of scale, where the cost per person is reduced due to group discounts and shared resources, making agritourism more accessible and affordable. Travel operators and agritourism providers also appreciate the predictability and efficiency of group tours, which streamline logistics and scheduling.

North America is leading in the agritourism market due to its well-established agricultural sector, diverse rural landscapes, and strong consumer interest in sustainable, farm-to-table experiences.

North America stands out in the agritourism market largely due to its rich and varied agricultural landscape, which includes everything from sprawling farms and vineyards to small-scale organic operations and specialty producers. The region's agricultural diversity allows for a wide range of agritourism activities, such as farm stays, winery tours, fruit-picking, and artisanal food workshops, catering to a broad spectrum of interests. Additionally, North America's strong consumer interest in sustainability and local food movements has driven the popularity of agritourism. The increasing demand for authentic, farm-to-table experiences aligns perfectly with the region's ability to offer hands-on agricultural activities and direct farm-to-consumer interactions. Furthermore, well-developed infrastructure, including accessible rural areas and robust marketing networks, supports the growth of agritourism by making it easier for travelers to explore and enjoy these experiences.

• On June 5, 2024, Ohio Wine Month showcased the economic impact of the state's wine industry, which generated over 40,000 jobs and USD 6.6 billion annually. Christy Eckstein, Executive Director of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee, highlighted how wineries have expanded to offer diverse agritourism experiences throughout Ohio.
• On May 28, 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government aimed to boost the rural economy and create local jobs through agri-tourism. Partnering with private hospitality players, they identified 229 agri-tourism villages to offer tourists a chance to experience village life and celebrate ethnic culture and traditions.
• On August 18, 2023, Georgia set its sights on sustainable agritourism. Supported by FAO and the EBRD, the initiative involved training, knowledge exchanges, and promotional efforts. In 2022, events promoted agritourism in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tusheti, focusing on local product development and lessons from successful international agritourism destinations.
• In August 2023, the Pacific Agritourism Conference organized by the members of the Global Agritourism Network Pacific Committee and Global Sustainable Tourism Council aimed to boost agritourism in the Pacific with the help of indigenous voices.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Agritourism market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Activity
• On-farm Sales
• Accommodations
• Entertainment
• Educational Tourism
• Outdoor Recreation
• Others

By Sales Channel
• Travel Agents
• Direct Sales

By Tour
• Group
• Individual Travel

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Agritourism industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

***Please Note: It will take 48 hours (2 Business days) for delivery of the report upon order confirmation.