Richard Perron IUCN-CBSG Quantum Conservation e.V. Schützenhofstraße Oldenburg, Germany Winchester House, Bishops Walk Aylesbury HP21 7LD, England

Senior Experten Service Buschstrasse Bonn Germany

Tourism in the 21 st Century Ecotourism Agritourism

Understand your terminology

Ecotourism is a form of tourism which appeals to the ecologically and socially conscious focuses on local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities premise: Sustainable development

Agrotourism Agritourism direct extention of ecotourism holiday on a farm tourists can pick fruits and vegetables, ride horses and learn about life on the farm visiting children have often not seen a live chicken, duck or goat and a cow giving milk generally offers a unique and memorable experience for the entire family.

HOWEVER Agritourism has been developed as a component of a business model to support many agricultural entities when the farm products they produce are no longer economically competitive Farms often do not have the financial means or technical knowledge for success Agritourism is only one alternative for farms but thought to be an easy option

Russian experience Soviet farms were not profit orientated Management was often incompetent After Perestroika good people often migrated, looking for better jobs Change of attitude necessary but difficult Financial institutions have been unwilling to lend

Russian infrastructure often makes access difficult, particularly for families with children

Sanitation, water supply and hygiene are often not up to basic European standards

Agritourism is not a universal panacea and foreign visitors may cause more problems than they are worth

Fundamental considerations Is the enterprise practical? Does the market exist? Are management and staff available? Is the necessary finance available? Is there a medium term future? How will it affect the local community? Can it make a profit?

Consequential Is the business going to be ecological? Which changes might be necessary? How will the changes affect other people and animals?

You cannot please everyone

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