For many farms, farm tourism has become a way of supplementing their income during difficult times. Even when suffering drought or heavy competition in the market place; a farm can still generate income through taking visitors into farm accommodation; selling produce through a farm shop or hosting farm tours. Overseas visitors especially are interested in experiencing rural living such as seeing a farmer in action, helping with feeding animals and at the end of the day watching the kangaroos come in to feed at sunset.
Job Opportunities
Large farms may employ permanent full or part time staff to operate farm tourism enterprises. Small farms tend to employ family members or casual part time staff.
Opportunities may exist as:
-
Tour guides
-
Sales staff in a farm shop on a larger farm
-
Chefs/cooks in a farm restaurant
-
Cleaners for accommodation
-
Tour operators (putting together and conducting packaged tours)
-
Tour agents
Remuneration and Advancement
Remuneration is not particularly high, though on farm tourism enterprises can offer opportunities for employment in rural areas which might not otherwise exist. Occasional large farm tourism enterprises may offer management positions; but these are relatively few and far between.
If you are ambitious and wish to work in farm tourism, your best opportunity for a good job and income may be self employment. A rural property that focuses on farm tourism may not need to be as large as a production enterprise that is totally dependent upon income from primary produce. This means that less investment may be required in land; and for some, that can make entering agriculture viable.
How to Distinguish Yourself and get Business
You need to consider the potential clientele and what you can offer that would attract them to visit your property. People on holiday are attracted by experiences that are unique, different and convenient. There is no point is establishing an enterprise that is inaccessible or the same as what is offered elsewhere in your region.
Developing the products or services is only part of what is needed too. Unless enough people know about you and are attracted to visit; you will not be successful. Sometimes position can take care of this (eg. If you are located on a busy highway) but even passing trade is of little use unless they are enticed to stop.
Risks and Stress Rating
Not getting enough business can be the biggest risk, and the greatest cause of stress. In order to succeed, you not only need to attract initial customers; but you need them to leave you more than happy -in fact, so impressed that they tell their family and friends about you, and they bring return business to you. Any tourism business that fails to create a swell of return business will always struggle.
Managing large groups of people on farms can also be stressful at times. You will need to be prepared, organised and willing to adapt to the needs and interests of the visitors.
Insurance
If you have the public on site, you will need public liability insurance to cover any accidents that may occur. If you are giving advice you may need to consider professional indemnity insurance. A Professional Indemnity policy aims to shield the professional worker's assets in the event of a claim, therefore ensuring that he/she is able to carry on their business.
To minimise risk of liability, you must investigate and learn about the legal and professional requirements and consult with an insurance expert. It is advisable to work through a credible insurance agent recommended by a solicitor, accountant or other credible professional.
Recommended Courses/Career Pathways
Click here to see our Farm Management course
Click here to see our Bed & Breakfast Management course
Click here to see our Certificate in Tourism
If you have a property already and are considering a farm tourism enterprise, don't rush into a venture. Investigate the options and discover the pros an cons of each before making a decision to spend any significant money or time on moving into something new. Be careful of following obvious trends. Be aware that by the time something becomes "trendy" it is likely to be past its peak, and those who invest in that type of venture at that stage may find that the "trend" has passed before they even start trading.
If you plan to buy a property and start something; again take your time, do your homework and don't invest prematurely.
If you want to make a career from working in rural tourism but don't want to own your own business; consider carefully where you live.
For more specific advice on careers and courses, use our free counselling service