<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>With its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart diversification solution. Even though agritourism is rather weak on the Walloon tourist market level, it is important for farmers for whom it is often a means of supplementary income. Based on crossed data concerning potential tourists, local tenants, privileged witnesses and promotional information, the position of agritourism on the Walloon tourist market is analysed. It is shown that agritourism is a multiple micro-niche market primarily complementary to other sources of tourist supply. This paper underscores how the assets of demand, of the region and of the farm all shape agritourist diversification. Instead of providing a standardized well-known product, agritourism in Wallonia is richly diverse, which creates difficulties in branding this tourist market sector.</p></abstract>

With its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart diversification solution. Even though agritourism is rather weak on the Walloon tourist market level, it is important for farmers for whom it is often a means of supplementary income. Based on crossed data concerning potential tourists, local tenants, privileged witnesses and promotional information, the position of agritourism on the Walloon tourist market is analysed. It is shown that agritourism is a multiple micro-niche market primarily complementary to other sources of tourist supply. This paper underscores how the assets of demand, of the region and of the farm all shape agritourist diversification. Instead of providing a standardized well-known product, agritourism in Wallonia is richly diverse, which creates difficulties in branding this tourist market sector.

What is the Position of Agritourism on the Walloon Tourist Market?

National Research Fund, Luxembourg & Université de Liège, Département de géographie, Laplec, Allée du six Août, 2, B-4000, Liége, Belgium

Université de Liège, Département de géographie, Laplec, Allée du six Août, 2, B-4000, Liége, Belgium

European Countryside

{"article-title":"What is the Position of Agritourism on the Walloon Tourist Market?"}

With its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart...

What is the Position of Agritourism on the Walloon Tourist Market?

Published Online: Nov 16, 2013

Page range: 295 - 307

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2013-0019

This content is open access.