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Gaps in Information

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Gaps in Information

1. Introduction

This module aims to help agriturism owners to stay updated about the sector’s latest news, what are the most relevant sources and where to look for help.

2. Key Elements

1. Magazines

A great way to keep up to date with the latest industry news is through specialised magazines. As this is a new offering, there are not many agritourism-specific magazines, but tourism magazines can be very useful. Here are a few:

2. Portals and forums

There are online portals and forums to connect business so that they can help eachother each other and solve doubts:

  • Global Agroturism Network joins farmers and agricultural producers, researchers, educators, community planners, government entities, agricultural service providers, development organizations, tour operators, hospitality operators, event planners, among others and aims to enhance the capacity of agritourism stakeholders worldwide.
  • Farmers helping farmers
  • European Network for Rural Development – this is a transnational network joining organizations working for a sustainable rural development.

3. Destination management organizations

The UNWTO definition of a destination management is the ‘coordinated and thoughtful planning of all elements that make up a tourism destination’.

These organizations are ‘the voice’ of a destination to reach potential visitors. Through collaboration with other travel trade partners they will provide travellers useful and attractive information about a destination. 

Their objective is to successfully promote a destination and attract visitors but contributing to the development of the local and regional systems.

4. National entities

You can always search for support at you own country relevant institution regarding tourism. 

Being part of this project consortium, in Cyprus, you can check the opportunities and facilities that the Ministry of Tourism offers.

5. Local/regional entities

Social and regional entities will have the information you need specially in legal and administrative requirements. For a matter of solvency, you should first reach out the  the most local-based institution at your fingertips, such as town councils or local departments.

6. ETIS European Tourism Indicators System for sustainable destination management

This is a common framework useful at a European level. This indicators system is suitable for all tourist destinations, including agriturisim destinations willing to implement an intelligent and sustainable approach in their internal business and management plan.

You can use ETIS as:

  • a management tool, to support your agritourism in the process to take a sustainable approach to destination management
  • a monitoring system, to collect data of your destination performance a
  • an information tool for relevant stakeholders.

7. Networking

Meet your colleagues! A great way of getting useful information is through colleagues in your same situation and area. Try searching local fairs or events that, apart from being a showcase for your business, will help you getting new contacts and friends!

3. Example

European Network for Rural Development

The European Network for Rural Development portal offers a wide range of possibilities to connect with other similar businesses. Go register your site and explore its opportunities – this includes a networking site!

4. Benefits and Potential Impact

The benefits and impact you might have from the guideline implementation are:

For the mentor For the mentee
  • Have practical resources and examples examples to get information
  • Wide useful resources for your agritourism site

5. Self-evaluation Questionnaire