Growing travel trend of connecting agriculture and tourism is good for all

If, as studies suggest, more people are seeking out unique experiences when booking travel, then agritourism is a logical and increasingly natural byproduct of that search.

Avid agritourists seek to find fresh and sustainable foods, interact with locals and experience their culture and how they live, and to travel to new and rural destinations – whether that‘s farms, agricultural businesses, food festivals or artisan markets.

Ontario is an agricultural powerhouse, with an abundance of rich farmland, making agricultural experiences and rural escapes not far for many Ontarians, even those in cities. In fact, according to the City of Burlington’s planning documents, the city is committed to keeping 50 per cent of its region rural.

Burlington bustles in the city core down by Lake Ontario but, the more north you drive, up Guelph Line or Brant Street toward the Niagara Escarpment, which is a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve, the area opens up into farmland, parkland and conservation areas.

“The draw for agritourism is offering a connection to nature and unique, family-friendly experiences,” says Claire Green, director of destination development and marketing for Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. Helping people understand where food comes from is a big focus in the city’s marketing efforts. “We’re lucky in Burlington to be surrounded by agritourism attractions.”