Wageningen International Centre of Excellence on Development of Sustainable Leisure.

Wageningen International Centre of Excellence on Development of

Sustainable Leisure

The Netherlands: A Rural and Agri Tourist Product

Drs Jan W. te Kloeze Chairman WICE-DSL P.O.Box 544 4100 AM Culemborg The Netherlands T. + 31 (0) 26 4722639 E-mail [email protected]

Content

Rural tourism – agritourism – definitions Products Agritourist entrepreneurs - gender Agritourists; target groups Economic aspects Organisational aspects Policy aspects Promotional aspects

Rural Tourism

Definitions

Rural Tourism

That part of tourism based on activities of agrarians with touristic side activities and of entrepreneurs in the rural areas with tourist side activities, and the use of this supply by recreationists and tourists.

Four types:

● agritourism [agrotourism]● cultural tourism [heritage tourism]● ecotourism● active tourism [sport and adventure tourism]

Agritourism

Part of rural tourism taking place at farms

Source: Stichting Recreatie, Plattelandstoerisme in Europa [Rural Tourism in Europe], 2005

Why Rural Tourism?

•Generating income and jobs•Exchange between rural and urban areas•Multiplier effect while relatively small scale direct investments•Strengthening local and regional structures by creating networks•Stimulating physical infrastructural developments•Enlarging diversity of economic developments•Awareness of values of an area [landscape, nature, culture, and its economic potential]

Source: Stichting Recreatie, Plattelandstoerisme in Europa [Rural Tourism in Europe], 2005

Features of Rural Tourism

● seasonality● fragmentation; co-operation needed● internal and external markets;

external markets needed● role of women● economic role: side income for

farmers and other entrepreneurs in the rural area

Source: Stichting Recreatie, Plattelandstoerisme in Europa [Rural Tourism in Europe], 2005

Elements of the Rural Tourism Product

● Accommodations● Attractions● Supply of activities [e.g. horse riding]● Events [e.g. farmers’ fairs]● Service [restaurant; hospitality]● Transport [infrastructure; e.g. rail service]● Sustaining services [explaining touristic routes]

Source: Stichting Recreatie, Plattelandstoerisme in Europa [Rural Tourism in Europe], 2005

Scheme 1. A Complete Product: “the 5 A’s of the Rural Tourism Holiday Network”

Accommo- Access Available Amenities Activitiesdation Facilities services

Caravan sites Airport Bank Scenery AttractionsCamp sites Rail service Taxi Lakes PubsHostels Bus Car hire Landscape WalksSmall Hotels Booking and Boat hire Mountains FishingSelf catering reservation Restau- Forest VisitorB & B Website faci- rants Rivers farms

lities Shops

Source: Heneghan, 2002

Agritourism in the NetherlandsSome theoretical notions

Demand ↔ Supply

Demand* Demographic changes* Changes in value orientations

Small-scaledness [small scale tourism versus mass tourism]* Authenticity

Nostalgia* Variety of distinctive products [cf. Bourdieu]

Supply* European and national agricultural policy* Pluri-activity* Alternative sources of income

Scheme 2 Definitions of tourism products

Characteristics Rural Tourism Agritourism Farm Tourism

Core Product Rural environment Farm Products Life on a farmSports and recreation Agrarian Way of Life Rural festivities Agrarian festivities

Secondary Holiday villages Stay at ‘active’ farms Stay at farmsproducts Countryside hotels Use of agrarian space

Stay at private homesCamp sites CampingPlaces to eat Meals Meals

Animation Recreation RecreationShops ShopsSignpostingInformation

Source: Bubendorf, 1994: 15

Definition agritourism

"Agritourism comprises all forms of tourism that are directly connected with the agrarian environment, agrarian products or agrarian stays" (Te Kloeze, 1993).

Agritourism in the Netherlands = camping at a farm

In France: camping à la ferme; chambre d’hôte; table d’hôte

Agritourism in the NetherlandsOffering * accommodation:

* camp site at the farm (quantitatively the main product)* apartments* rooms* bed and breakfast

Selling* meals* home-made farm products* handicrafts

Guiding

Cultural aspects of agritourism * visiting archaeological sites as part of the so-called 'knapsack routes‘;* agritourist or rural museums; * farm & country fairs; * cultural festivals in the countryside; and * cultural and natural heritage in the countryside

Camping at a farm, The Netherlands

Table 1. Agrarian Enterprises with accommodation for lodging [The Netherlands], per province

Region Agrarian enterprises with accommodation for lodging

The Netherlands 2463

Groningen 63Friesland 163Drenthe 129Overijssel 273Flevoland 44Gelderland 400Utrecht 92North Holland 238South Holland 198Zealand 329North Brabant 328Limburg 206

Source: Landbouwtelling 2003

Table 2. Agrarian businesses according to type of business (in

percentages)

Type of business Agrarian business Total agrarian sector in with camp sites the Netherlands

Agriculture business 25 13

Dairy farm 25 34

Mixed farm 25 5

Rest 26 48

Total 100 100

[379] [133.844]

Source: CBS, 1987

Table 3. Costs and benefits from offering camping facilities at the farm [Province of Zealand, 1986]

Gross yield Dfl. 12.600

Fixed costs Dfl. 2.900

Variable costs Dfl. 2.300

Net yield agritourism Dfl. 7.400 [275 working hours]

=

Dfl. 27 / hour [Euro 12.--]

Net yield agriculture [1986] Dfl. 16 / hour [Euro 7.--]

Source: Voskuilen and Van Elk [1989]

Table 4. Part of income from mini camp site as percentage of the total income of the farm household, Province of Zealand and other parts of the Netherlands, 1988 (percentages)

Part Zealand other parts of the Netherlands

nihil / small 1 22± 1% 11 32± 5% 16 21± 10% 15 11± 20% 25 7> 20% 32 7

100 [103] 100 [272]

Source: Te Kloeze [1990]

Remark: The Province of Zealand [coastal area] is touristically very attractiveConclusion: Strong relationship between part of income derived from agritourism and touristic attractiveness of the area in questions

Table 5. Part of income from letting group accommodation at the farm as percentage of total income of the farm household, the Netherlands, 1992 (percentages)

Part The Netherlands

0% 3 7± 1% 3 7± 5% 3 7± 10% 12 25± 25% 9 18> 25% 15 33100% 2 5unknown 23 .no answer 30 .

100 [130] 100 [61]

Source: Ubaghs [1992]

Table 6. Part of income from letting rooms as percentage of total income of the farm household, the Netherlands, 1992 (percentages)

Part The Netherlands

0% 1 3± 1% 8 17± 5% 13 30± 10% 6 13± 25% 9 20> 25% 8 17unknown 14 .no answer 41 .

100 [66] 100 [30]

Source: Ubaghs (1992)

Table 7. Number of stays at 'mini camp sites' and regular camp sites in the Netherlands; 1993-1995 (estimation); benefits (estimation) see also slide 21

Mini camp sites costs of stay benefits for regular camp s.p.p.p.n. the local

community[Dfl. 3] [Dfl. 15¹ ???]

1993: 963.000 stays Dfl. 2,889,000 14,445,000 25,551,200 stays1994: 1,300,000 Dfl. 3,900,000 19,500,000 24,864,000

35% increase - 2,7% decrease

1995 1,500,000 Dfl. 4,500,000 22,500,000[Euro 2,045,000] - 9,5 % decrease

+ 15% increase

¹ baker, butcher, supermarket, petrol, [farmers’] market, souvenirs, tourist recreative visits

Source: SVR [Stichting Vrije Recreatie; Foundation for Free Recreation] + NBT [Nationaal Bureau voor Toerisme; National Tourism Board]

Net Yield Agritourism in the Netherlands 1995

Gross Yield Dfl. 21,400.--Fixed costs -- 6,400.-- (minus)Variable costs -- 7,000.-- (minus)Net Yield Dfl. 8,000.--

Variation Gross Yield:

between Dfl. 1,000.-- and 70,000.--

1/4 of all enterprises : < Dfl. 5,000.--1/3 of all enterprises : > Dfl. 25,000.--

Income derived from:

agrarian part of the enterprise : 66%agritourism : 17%other sources (outside the farm) : 17%

Number of working hours agritourism : 470Net Yield Agritourism : Dfl. 17.--/hour

The Netherlands:

Number of agritourism businesses : 2.258Gross Yield : Dfl. 48,000,000.--Net Yield (income from agritourism) : Dfl. 25,000,000.—

Source: LEI [Agricultural Economic Institute, 1998]

Gender

Table 8. Task sharing between husband/wife (farmer/farmer's wife) in agritourist businesses (letting group accommodation) (The Netherlands, 1992) (percentages)

Daily Paper- Cleaning Cleaning Mainte-manage- work facilities accommo- nance/ment dations repara-

tions

♀ only 31 42 41 53 29 37 30 39 1 1♂ only 12 15 20 26 5 7 5 6 52 68♀+♂ only 19 26 11 14 18 23 11 14 5 7Others(s) 13 17 5 7 26 33 31 41 19 24? 25 . 23 . 22 . 23 . 23 .

Total %% 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100N = 130 98 130 100 130 101 130 100 130 100

Source: Ubaghs [1992]

Citation

The importance of the role of the farmer's wife is clear in the division of labour in the recreational subsidiary business. She has the lion's share of all the tasks:"Most of the work is now done by my wife. She settles the accounts, cleans the toilets and showers etc. The toilets are closed in the mornings from 11.15 to 12.00. Everyone knows this and it runs smoothly. I mow the field once a week which takes about half a day. We have a container for the rubbish which is collected once a week during the summer, so that is hardly any bother to me at all".[Te Kloeze, 2000: 11]

Table 9.Task sharing between husband/wife (farmer/farmer's wife) in agritourist businesses (letting rooms) (The Netherlands, 1992) (percentages)

Daily Paper- Cleaning Cleaning Mainte-manage- work facilities accommo- nance/ment dations repara-

tions

♀ only 35 55 44 71 44 71 47 76 5 7♂ only 3 5 17 27 2 2 - - 41 66♀+♂ only 24 38 1 2 9 15 6 10 5 7Others(s) 2 2 - - 7 12 9 14 11 29? 36 . 38 . 38 . 38 . 38 .

Total %% 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100N = 66 42 66 41 66 41 66 41 66 41

Source: Ubaghs [1992]

Table 10. Groups of camp site owners, The Netherlands

[farmers only; N = 374]

Degree of commercialisation and Degree of idealist motivesprofessionalisation

Less socially More sociallyoriented oriented

Less commercially and Pragmatic Idealistprofessionally minded type [27%] type [27%]

More commercially and Professional Idealist - professionally minded type [20%] professional

type [27%]

Source: Te Kloeze, 1990

Table 11. Typology of farm campers, The Netherlands [N = 731]

Desire for comfort:

Camping at the farm: Less desire for More desire fora matter of principle comfort comfort

Less principly Pragmatic Comfort orientedtype [33%] type [21%]

More principly Principle Complex type [20%] type [27%]

Source: Te Kloeze, 1990

Various target groups

How to match between supply types and demand types? Consequences for promotion!!!

Campers in France

Table 12. Motives for offering agritourist facilities [in percentages]

Motives for Motives for Motives foroffering camping offering camping offering Bed &facilities facilities Breakfast[Zonneveld, 1988] Appeldoorn et al,, Appeldoorn et al.,

1994 1994

Financial 21,6% 20,6% 16,2%

Contacts and21,1% 17,6% 48,6% socialibilityTo let city people 15,7% 14,7% 2,7%

enjoyOpportunity and 15,7% 14,7% 13,5% space availableTo meet the 9,5% 8,8% 5,4% demandTo improve the 3,3% 5,9% 8,2% image of the agricultural businessTo spend time 1,2% 0,0% 2,7%

usefully

Total N = 421 N = 35 N = 38

Source: Zonneveld, 1988; Appeldoorn et al., 1994

Organisations Agritourism in the Netherlands

● SVR: Stichting Vrije Recreatie – Foundation for Free Recreation [> 1,750 businesses in the Netherlands, 250 elsewhere in Europe; > 150,000 supporters ~ appr. 1/2 million tourists]www.svr.nl

● VEKABO:Vereniging van Kampeerboeren – Union of farmers

exploiting a camp site [1,600 businesses in the Netherlands]

www.vekabo.nl

● ECEAT: European Centre for Eco Agro Tourism [968 businesses, 25 European countries; 168 businesses in the Netherlands]www.eceat.nl and www.groenevakantiegids.nl

Agritourism and Network products in the Netherlands [examples]:

● Knapsack tourism in the Province of Drenthe

● Hof van Twente [Garden of Twente]

Table 13. Interest in possible arrangements in the Province of Brabant and the

Province of Friesland [The Netherlands, 1993]

Brabant Friesland

Visiting Recreation Park Cycling combined with combined with

cycling 22% nature rambling 20%nature rambling 20% boat tour 26%covered wagon tour 10% visiting museum 14%horse riding lessons 10% covered wagon tour 10%city walk 7% city walk 10%canoeing 8% horse riding lessons 10%

canoeing 7%

Nature rambling Boat tourcombined with combined with

cycling 20% cycling 26%visiting zoo 10% nature rambling 13%covered wagon tour 5% covered wagon tour 9%visiting recr. Park 7% horse riding lessons 8%horse riding lessons 5% city walk 7%

canoeing 6%

Source: Consument and Arrangement (1993)

Table 14. Number of Eco Agro Touristic Farms in 25 European countries affiliated

with ECEAT, 2009

France 329The Netherlands 168Spain 65Belgium 50Poland 48Germany 41Portugal 40Italy 38United Kingdom 31Finland 2115 other European countries 137

Total 968

Source: ECEAT (2009)

Eceat campsite

Scheme 3 Organisations in the Netherlands offering agritourist accommodations (situation 1998)

SVR VEKABO ECEAT

Who is organised Producers + Producers ProducersConsumers

Supply Camp site Camp site Camp siteLetting rooms Letting rooms Letting rooms

Apartments Apartments ApartmentsMealsGuidingEco Hotels

Area The Netherlands The Netherlands Europe[> 1,750 addresses] [1,600 addresses] [968 addresses]Europe The Netherlands[250 addresses] [168 addresses][> 150,000 supporters = ½ million tourists]

Price Low Relatively high Low[controlled by SVR] [free to determine]

Information Consumers [donaters] Buying a brochure Buying a€ 12.50/year; brochureaddresses free

Ecological Not especially Not especially Yes

Agritourist initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe (Wageningen students research)

Dobrinishte (village in South Bulgaria) (Willem Geldof)Zemplén Hills (North East Hungary) (Jolanda Vrolijk)Kłodzko Region (South Poland) (Job Boersma)Danube Delta (East Rumania) (Mark de Vries)

All thesis research on 'the possibilities of agritourism in ...'.

Main results concern:● (apart from nature + culture) main aspect of 'agritourist product':

hospitality● lack of money to start initiatives● lack of taking initiative (awaiting attitude; 50 years of communist

rule)● lack of knowledge how to start with (management; promotion)

Poland

Table 15. Comparison of the ideas of rural residents (RR) and officials (OF) about the development of agritourism (Kłodzko Region, Poland)

RR % OF %%

Good facilities and infrastructural 7 18 5 11 provisions should be made

Governments should take action 4 10 2 4

Better foundations, credit, 9 23 3 6 taxes etc. are needed

The mentality of farmers has to 3 8 10 21 change

Source: Te Kloeze and Boersma (1996)

Table 16. Financial support for rural development in the Netherlands

European Union Euro share in %%financial support for

15 EU Countries, 2000 – 2006 32,905,900,000 100%10 EU Countries, 2004 – 2006 5,761,000,000 100%

The Netherlands [from EU] 417,100,000 1,3% from EU

Financial support by 1,146,050,000Dutch GovernmentP

Part from EU 509,000,000 44%from total NL budget

[this figure differs from figure above]

Source: European Commission, 2003

Agritourist policy in Europe

Two models:

Dispersion of tasks model: agritourism support role divided among various public agencies with appropriate responsibilities(National Tourism Organisation, the Ministry of Agriculture, The Agricultural Bank etc.)Austria, West Germany, Britain, Switzerland

Concentration of tasks model: 'support service' provided for agritourism by an independent agency, following a two-tier system (including a central agency and local offices) France: National Federation of the Gîtes de France and the local departments (Relais Departemental)

Strong governmental support in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland

The Netherlands: policy of the so-called 'Valuable Man-made Landscapes' (protection of nature and culture; restrictive measures against large scale agriculture and bio industry). Very appropriate for agritourist development.Policy of renewing the countryside.In the Netherlands: no direct support of agritourist entrepreneurs by Dutch government.

Examples of renewing the countryside in the Netherlands:

• Agritourism (hosts and hostesses; camp site on the farm; farm restaurants; excursions; festivals; walks; bicycle tours)

• Architects of nature and landscape (combination of farm enterprise + regional environmental policy + regional economy)

• Building chains (processing and direct marketing of farm products by creating own chains)

• Producers of richly varied fare (regional quality, ecological)• Product innovation (new products and services: rural

development, social and economic strengthening of the countryside)

• Providing care ('care' farm; workers: mentally handicapped people)

• Small-scaled entrepreneurship; birth place of new economic activity

• Environmental experts (clean and sustainable agriculture and horticulture)

Source: Van Broekhuizen, Klep and Oostindie (1997)

Some instruments for Rural Development Policy in the NetherlandsSpatial planning (VROM 1990): every rural area in the Netherlands is supposed to be part of a certain 'zone'._ Green zone : nature development_ Yellow zone : development concentrated intensive

agrarian activities_ Brown zone : variety of soil bound agriculture together

with other functions_ Blue zone : renewal of rural areas; interweaving of

functions

Renewal of rural areas: regional economical and spatial development of rural areas pointed at differentiation of functions; agriculture and other forms of use of space (forestry, nature management and development, water supply, recreation, tourism etc.).

Ecological Main Structure and Valuable Man-made Landscapes: attractive landscape, a rich cultural heritage, beautiful nature and many possibilities for recreation and tourism.

11 Valuable Man-made Landscapes in the Netherlands: e.g. South West Friesland.

The Ecological Main Structure is mainly concentrated in Green and Blue Zone areas. New facilities for residential recreation and tourist attractions will be kept away (in principle).

Russian Federation – TatarstanCollectivisation [also example Viet Nam]TISBI Management Expertise

Conclusions:

- In Western Europe: agritourism side income for farmers’ families- In Central and Eastern Europe: agritourism can be main income- Agritourists: Special target groups- Revival of countryside; employment- Carrying capacity for rural life, heritage, nature: farmers AND tourists- Women’s affair- Sustainability- Financial support, policy: different approaches- What about opportunities in countries with [former] collectivised agriculture? [Small private farms?]- Focus on domestic tourists and/or international tourists- Opportunities in terms of “village tourism”, small scale tourism, green tourism- Organisational: Topdown? Bottom-up? Which [tourism] organisation[s] should facilitate farmers’ families? Role of Ministry? Over-regulation. Under-regulation. Role private sector? Legal aspects?