News
International engagements lead to enrolments
Japanese education providers and students are booking Whanganui visits following successful international education engagements with local secondary schools.
- Wednesday, May 3, 9:00am – 4:00pm
- The Backhouse, 28 Taupō Quay
- FREE
- Register now
- Email Colleen Sheldon to find out more
Are you interested in exploring opportunities that diversify your farm or rural land? Is a tourism venture, whether accommodation, walking tours or farm experiences, something that interests you?
Agritourism can be a profitable and sustainable way to diversify farm income, increase cash flow, provide employment and grow rural communities. Whanganui & Partners is bringing Agritourism NZ’s “Regional Agritourism Accelerator Programme” to Whanganui on May 3.
The programme’s one-day workshop will cover all aspects of starting and growing a successful agritourism business with a focus on: planning, product development (assessing opportunities on your farm), and marketing and health and safety.
Marijke Dunselman, founder of Agritourism New Zealand, said the organisation has worked with, trained and coached hundreds of agritourism businesses over the years.
Agritourism can be defined as a tourism activity on a working farm, from farm cottages to luxury lodges, from educational tours to multi-day walks. “There is a misconception that it’s just our beloved farm tours and farm stays,” Dunselman said.
“There are so many ways to add value to farming operations by hosting visitors through a range of activities and accommodation options. There are also opportunities to partner
with other businesses to operate a tourism business on your land and share profits.”
The new “Regional Agritourism Accelerator Programme” starts with a full-day in-person workshop, followed by monthly in-depth webinars over five months. Whanganui’s regional group will have the opportunity to form an ‘Agritourism Cluster’ and network with other agritourism operators around New Zealand.
