| Agritourism or Agrotourism is defined as a | | | | companies; and tourists themselves. But |
| vacation or holiday taken on a farm, vinyard or | | | | sustainable tourism is not the same as |
| other working agricultural site. | | | | 'ecotourism'". |
| In its purest form these types of breaks include | | | | We are all becoming increasingly aware of the |
| the chance to help with farming and agricultural | | | | fact that we are responsible for the sustainability |
| tasks during the visit. | | | | of our planet. We all like holidays and want to fly |
| Agritourism is often considered to be a new form | | | | off to exotic locations primarily in search of the |
| of niche holiday or adaptation of the usual forms | | | | sun. However we often miss the obvious in our |
| of tourism. | | | | quest for self fulfillment. |
| To me it is a confusing use of an old established | | | | In the Mediterranean lies the island of Menorca is |
| practice of city dwellers going, as families, into the | | | | just 47 kilometers from east to west and 17 |
| countryside to help with the harvest. In the UK | | | | kilometers north to south. The island may be small |
| tales of whole families leaving London in late | | | | in size but it is hugh in its environmental standing |
| summer to go hop-picking in Kent are legend. In | | | | having learned very early from the follies of its |
| many other parts of the world this form of | | | | sister Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. |
| working holiday is also a part of local history. | | | | The Menorca Biosphere Reserve was created in |
| Today the term Agrotourism has been, in my | | | | 1993 as a result of the Island status as a Natural |
| opinion, hijacked by the world of tourism to | | | | Park. Sixteen years ago this was a bold step but |
| include Boutique Hotels housed in former large | | | | one which has been instrumental in the Island |
| farm houses and on former Country Manor | | | | managing its development as a major holiday |
| Estates. | | | | destination without succumbing to the worst |
| Don't get the wrong idea I am all in favour of | | | | excesses of mass tourism. The Island is unique in |
| tourism in the countryside as it brings benefits to | | | | that although small its varied landscape offers the |
| the rural community and allows tourists to | | | | diversity of habitats that virtually represents the |
| experience first hand the traditional countryside | | | | whole of the Mediterranean region in miniature. |
| activities. Surely it is more appropriate to call | | | | Over the years Menorca has built on this early |
| these activities Rural Tourism. | | | | foresight and now offer traditional beach based |
| The other term I find confusing is Sustainable | | | | holidays away from concrete jungle resorts |
| Tourism! I decided to turn to Wikipedia for some | | | | together with ´Turismo de Interior´ |
| help and found the following statement. | | | | in beautifully renovated manor houses located in |
| "Sustainable tourism is an industry committed to | | | | villages. These locations offer not only tranquility, |
| making a low impact on the environment and local | | | | but also provide genuine contact with the island's |
| culture, while helping to generate income and | | | | customs and people. Visits to historical mansions |
| employment for local people.The aim of | | | | gives you the opportunity to know about the |
| sustainable tourism is to ensure that development | | | | rural Menorcan life in years past. |
| is a positive experience for local people; tourism | | | | |