“Pension u Sebastiana” is a family-run farm and agritourism business located in Hodousice, the Czech Republic, established in 1992 with agritourism services introduced in 1996. Positioned near the Sumava Mountains foothills, the guesthouse provides a picturesque rural experience surrounded by forests and meadows. The family’s decision to embrace agritourism aimed to diversify income streams and leverage the favorable environment for such activities.
Farm
The farm was founded in 1992, but agrotourism started in 1996.
Hodousice 32, 340 22 Nyrsko, Klatovy district, Plzen county, Czech Republic
The farm commenced its operations in 1992, with agritourism services officially introduced in 1996.
Located in the Sumava Mountains foothills, Pension U Sebastiana stands near the charming village of Hodousice. The guesthouse enjoys a picturesque setting, surrounded by a tranquil forest on one side and expansive meadows on the other. Positioned as the last house in the village, guests have swift access to horse paddocks, forest trails, and vast meadows.
The farm is exclusively managed by the family, operating as a family-run establishment.
The decision to venture into agritourism services was rooted in a desire to diversify income streams. The family’s ancestors-initiated accommodation offerings, seizing the opportunity presented by the conducive environment for agrotourism.
The rural accommodation services provided encompass a variety of offerings, including accommodation options coupled with opportunities for recreational, sporting, and cultural activities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of rural life while enjoying a range of engaging and enriching experiences.
Their evaluation of the experience in offering agritourism services reflects a positive and rewarding journey. The establishment has successfully connected with a diverse array of visitors seeking an authentic rural experience or a chance to revel in nature’s beauty. Positive feedback from guests underscores the success of their agritourism venture. Importantly, this initiative serves as a strategic diversification approach, enhancing the farm’s overall sustainability by generating supplementary income.
Embracing multifunctionality has proven advantageous for the business as it seamlessly integrates agriculture with agrotourism. This strategic combination has yielded numerous benefits, such as the diversification of income streams and the attraction of a broader customer base. The unique fusion of agricultural practices with tourism has not only set their brand apart but also aligned it with evolving market trends. Ultimately, this approach ensures a fulfilling experience for guests.
Creating services related to agritourism posed several challenges for the farm. One significant obstacle revolved around the timely completion of renovations to meet planned booking deadlines. The complexity of this task was exacerbated by the difficulty in finding a reliable renovation company. Balancing the need for renovations with the potential revenue loss from temporarily closing the guesthouse added an extra layer of intricacy to the situation. Navigating these challenges demanded careful planning and resource management to successfully establish the desired agritourism services.
Lucie, fueled by her newfound passion for lavender, is currently dedicated to cultivating 1,500 lavender plants on the farm. Beyond the aesthetic enhancement they bring, these plants are poised to be valuable raw materials for the production of essential oil, hydrolates, and various lavender-based products in the near future. The ultimate goal is to integrate these unique products into the agrotourism offerings.
The educational services indirectly accessed by Lucie are not from traditional educational platforms but rather from the informative website “Holidays in the Countryside,” of which she is a member. This platform serves as a valuable resource for acquiring knowledge and insights related to her endeavors.
Farm offers a diverse range of tourism-related services, catering to different interests and preferences. These include hiking, mountain biking, engaging recreational activities, and the opportunity to savor local products through tastings. This multifaceted approach ensures that visitors have an enjoyable experience during their time at the farm.
When embarking on the venture of creating agritourism, Lucie and Radomil, the proprietors of Pension U Sebastiana, have valuable counsel for aspiring farmers:
Agritourism entrepreneurs should begin by clearly defining their objectives and identifying their target audience with precision. Specialization is key, as catering to a specific market segment enhances effectiveness.
Engaging with guests is essential for success in agritourism. Visitors are drawn to insights into farm life and practices, so embrace openness, share experiences, and provide a glimpse into the rural way of life.
To thrive in the competitive landscape, mastering marketing skills is crucial. Once the target audience is identified, focus on refining strategies to reach and captivate the desired market effectively.
Actively seeking feedback from guests is a continuous process that leads to improvement. Regularly gather insights about their experiences and services to adapt and meet the evolving needs of visitors.
Reflecting on their entrepreneurial experience in differentiating services in agriculture, there is a steadfast perspective:
In the realm of service differentiation in agriculture, Lucie and Radomil hold that no changes would be made to their project. Every obstacle faced was overcome, and each step served as a valuable learning experience, reinforcing their conviction in the choices made.
Drawing from personal experience, Lucie and Radomil outline the competences necessary for an agricultural entrepreneur venturing into agritourism:
Effective communication skills are paramount for an agricultural entrepreneur. Being prepared to answer guests’ questions about daily activities, work processes, and more is essential. A forthcoming attitude is crucial, allowing guests to see beyond mere accommodations and experience the entirety of the farm surroundings.
The Farms’ Charm project aims to develop learning materials to educate small and medium-sized farmers in possible ways of starting their agritourism activities which will help them not only diversify their incomes but also promote their farm products directly to consumers. All that while reviving the rural areas and local communities and promoting a sustainable way of tourism which is in line with the tendencies of slowing down and staying longer at one area.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The content of this website reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
