What will you learn? To know more about nature exploration. To have farm-to table experience. To be familiar with eco-friendly practices and challenges. To get to know more what rural tourism and agrotourism is all about. To be familiar with the challenges for rural tourism. To know what influences the development of rural tourism.
How much time will it take? 40 minutes
EQF level
Level 3
Who created the content and will recognise your learning?
This material was created by the partners of the Erasmus+ project “Upskilling Rural”.
Blue wildflower
Blue wildflowers have rich symbolism and cultural significance across different cultures. For instance, the bluebell is often associated with humility and gratitude in British folklore, while in Victorian times, giving a blue wildflower could symbolize constancy and everlasting love. In literature and art, these flowers frequently represent tranquility, inspiration, and the beauty of nature.
Goldenrod
Poppy
Field roe
Chamomile
Chamomile is renowned for its wide-ranging medicinal benefits, which have been utilized for centuries. One of the most popular uses is its calming effect when brewed as tea, helping to alleviate anxiety, promote sleep, and soothe digestive issues. Chamomile contains compounds such as apigenin, which binds to receptors in the brain to decrease anxiety and induce relaxation
Clover
Marigold
Marigolds are renowned for their ability to act as a natural pest repellent in gardens. They produce a substance called thiophene, which is toxic to many soil-dwelling pests such as nematodes and certain insects. Planting marigolds alongside vegetables and other plants can help protect them from these harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This natural defense mechanism not only aids in sustainable gardening practices but also promotes healthier plant growth.
is all forms of recreation in rural areas, otherwise it is the entire rural tourism economy. Rural tourism is most popular in areas rich in nature with characteristic plant or animal species inhabiting a specific area at a specific time.
Thematic Villages, e.g. Herbs and Flowers Village, Berry Village, are an interesting tourist proposal.
The cultural heritage of a village is another idea for a tourist offer to participate in the life of the village and get to know its traditions, which are often linked to historical events in the region.
What influences the attractiveness of rural areas for tourists?
Rural tourism is all forms of recreation in rural areas, otherwise it is the entire rural tourism economy. Rural tourism is most popular in areas rich in nature with characteristic plant or animal species inhabiting a specific area at a specific time.
Thematic Villages, e.g. Herbs and Flowers Village, Berry Village, are an interesting tourist proposal.
The cultural heritage of a village is another idea for a tourist offer to participate in the life of the village and get to know its traditions, which are often linked to historical events in the region.
Ruraltourism
Eco-tourism Food & winetourism Cultural and heritagetours Outdooradvanture
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that focuses on responsible travel to natural areas, aiming to conserve the environment, support local communities, and educate visitors while minimizing negative impacts.
Nature-based tourism – wildlife watching, national parks, hiking
Eco-agrotourism – stays on organic farms, local food experiences
Educational ecotourism – environmental workshops, study tours
Community-based tourism – interaction with local cultures and traditions
Food & Wine Tourism is a type of tourism that focuses on experiencing local cuisine, beverages, and culinary traditions, including activities such as tasting, visiting vineyards and farms, cooking classes, and food festivals, while exploring the culture and region where the food originates.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism is a form of tourism in which travelers explore the culture, history, traditions, and heritage of a place, including activities such as visiting historical sites, museums, monuments, cultural festivals, and traditional villages, in order to learn, experience, and appreciate the local identity and history.
Visiting historical sites and monuments – castles, palaces, ruins, old towns
Museums and art galleries – local art, crafts, exhibitions
Cultural events and festivals – traditional music, dance, celebrations
Traditional villages and local communities – observing or participating in daily life, crafts, cuisine
Cultural trails – themed routes such as castles, religious sites, or local heritage paths
Mowing the field is best on cloudy but rainless days. Mowing in full sun is not conducive to proper hydration. Grass should also not be cut when it rains. Watch the movie:
Ploughing the field is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops and allowing them to break down. Watch the movie:
Milking cows involves closing the upper part of the teat canal with the thumb and forefinger, clamping the fingers encompassing the teat at its base, then pressing the remaining fingers against the teat one by one, squeezing the milk outwards. Watch the movie:
Today, the rural tourist is looking for authentic experiences in the form of activities in nature, contact with nature and with animals. They are looking for unconventional accommodation solutions. It wants to rediscover ancient yet simple customs, rituals and culture of the region.
Challenges of today's rural tourism include:
To meet the expectations and needs of today's tourist,
To be appropriately prepared with the offer for tourists,
To be more familiar with the cultural heritage of villages, traditional professions, handicrafts and folk art,
To raise awareness on environmental aspects in rural areas.
Opportunities for rural tourism development depend on a number of factors including:
the involvement of local people;
assistance from local government authorities;
educational and financial support from the state;
implementation of EU programmes;
making the tourist offer more attractive, e.g. the preparation of traditional dishes, as well as fruit and vegetable processing, presentation of traditional customs and rituals, handicraft workshops e.g. regional paper cut-outs and tissue paper decorations or baking bread figurines.
The benefits of rural tourism mainly include learning about the specifics of rural life, traditions, culture, a greater opportunity to get to know nature, and attractive leisure activities.
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To know more about nature exploration.
40 minutes
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