1. Agrotourism as a
Business Opportunity
Using what we have
National Agricultural
Conference July 2008
Roxanne Waithe

2. Purpose
To inspire thoughts and actions about:
1. Agribusiness and alternative ways to make
money from agriculture
2. Marketing our produce differently
3. Adding value to our existing tourism product
4. Rural tourism activity

3. Overview
• What is agrotourism
• Global and regional trends
• Agrotourism Business Opportunities in
Barbados
• How to facilitate agrotourism development

4. What is Agrotourism?
Agrotourism refers to any activity,
enterprise or business that links
agriculture with products,
services and experiences in
tourism.

5. Agrotourism Product Portfolio
Fixed Attractions Events Services
•Historic Plantations •Agricultural fairs •Farm tours
•Agricultural museums •Local festivals •Rural Bed & Breakfast
•Spas
•Village rum shops •Special events
•Alternative medicines
•Herb/Exotic Gardens
•Agro-processing
•Produce & Craft
Markets •Agro-trade with Tourism
Operators

6. Focus on three
AGRO-TRADE
Produce, meat,
flowers, processed
foods
Farm stays, Culinary
farmers’ festivals,
markets, authentic
agritainment, Bajan food
FARM BASED CULINARY
TOURISM TOURISM

7. Global Agrotourism Trends
• Farm based recreation generated US$955
million in 2004 (USDA Report 2007)
• Culinary tourism in Australia generates approx.
US$ 1 billion annually (Tourism Research
Australia 2005)
• The National Farmers’ Union UK (2008) – agro-
trade with the tourism & leisure sector
contributes 70% to the £32 billion agrifood
business

8. CARICOM Trends – Food Imports
Excess of Import Value over Export Value
Haiti (mirror data) 9.22
Bahamas 6.69
St. Kitts and Nevis 5.79
Suriname 3.45
St. Lucia 2.00
Barbados 1.51
Grenada 1.08
Dominica 1.02
Food imports exceed
CARICOM (excl Haiti) 0.73 food exports by 52%
Jamaica 0.69 in T&T
St. Vincent/Grenadines 0.64
Trinidad and Tobago 0.52
Belize -0.26
Guyana -0.53
-2.00 0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00
Ratio (Imports/Exports)
Singh & Jacque, CSME Symposium 2006

9. Caribbean Agrotourism Initiatives:
Agro-trade
•Nevis Growers Assn. & Four
Seasons Resort
•Santoy, Black Bay and
Mafoota Farmers (Sandals
Chain - Jamaica & St. Lucia)
•Barbonneau Farmers St.
Lucia and Almond Chain
(Barbados & St. Lucia)
•Mt. St. George Farmers, UK
Travel Foundation & Hilton
Tobago

10. Caribbean Agrotourism Initiatives:
Farm Based Tourism
•Goodfellow Farms, Nassau,
Bahamas: Country Store,
tours, restaurant
•The 3 Rivers Eco Lodge
and Campsite: organic herb
farm, Coffee and cocoa
picking, Visit to a dasheen &
root vegetable farm, learn
traditional farming methods

11. Caribbean Agrotourism Initiatives:
Culinary Tourism

12. Agro-trade Opportunities in Barbados
1. Farmer-hotel partnerships
2. A Pack house or Packaging Facility
3. An Agro-processing Facility
WHAT WE HAVE
Farmers co-ops & Ag. Marketing Agencies
Variety of produce
Arable land
Pork, poultry, eggs, fish
>Over 6,000 rooms

13. Farm-Based Tourism Opportunities in
Barbados
1. Direct Sales on the
farm
WHAT WE HAVE
2. Approved Farmers’
Markets Variety of farm operations
Rural communities
3. Community based engaged in agriculture
farmers’ markets
Farmers willing & ready
To diversify
4. Rural Bed & Breakfast
5. Farm-based recreation

14. Culinary Tourism Opportunities in
Barbados
1. Food Festivals on Farms/Plantations
2. Epicurean Expeditions
3. Signature Dishes
WHAT WE HAVE
Wide range of culinary experiences
Culinary Alliance of Barbados
Food Festivals: Oistins, Taste of Barbados & Crop Over

15. Challenges for Agrotourism
Development
NO AGROTOURISM POLICY
AGRICULTURE
COMPETITION FOR LAND USE
HOTEL IMPORTS - FOOD
TOURISM
NEED FOR AGRI-PRENEURS

16. Drivers for Agrotourism Business
ENTREPRENEURS
Farmers, Hoteliers, Investors
•Effective production techniques
•Proper post harvest and food handling techniques
•Creative marketing
•Develop farmer/hotel contractual agreements

17. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Agriculture, Tourism, Trade, Health
•Policy to support agrotourism linkages
•Accessible development funds
•Implementation of standards for quality
•Natural resource management
•Creating & promoting new agrotourism
attractions

18. NON-STATE AGENCIES
BMA, BAS, FAO, BHTA, IICA
•Networking, marketing & management of SMEs
•Facilitate promotional activities and training
•Provide technical support for new technologies
in agriculture
•Conduct feasibility studies and market research

19. Future Outlook
Forging links between the agriculture and tourism
sector will gain momentum as we seek to handle
increasing costs of living and also to address the
issue of food security.
Key ingredients for agrotourism business
development:
• Improved efficiency in agricultural production
• Creation of farmer/hotel partnerships
• HR training & development
• Formation of agrotourism policies to support
linkages

20. THANKS!