Agritourism Legislation in Italy. 1
Farm Holidays: Typical Activities. 2
Websites for finding farmhouses. 3
An agritourism business is run by a farmer who offers his clients food and lodging on his own property, using only his own produce. The owner sometimes organizes recreational activities and excursions for his guests. Agritourism began as a business alongside agriculture and livestock farming, to meet the changing needs of consumers, who are increasingly attentive to nutrition and love nature and good food.
The main characteristic of agritourism is and remains agricultural activity, which must nevertheless remain the entrepreneur’s primary occupation. Article 2 of the framework law defines an agritourism business as:
“Hospitality and hospitality activities carried out by agricultural entrepreneurs through the use of their own farm in a relationship of connection and complementarity with the activities of land cultivation, forestry, and livestock breeding, which must however remain primary.”
It is therefore necessary for the agricultural entrepreneur to continue to derive his profit from the cultivation of the land.
Agritourism legislation in Italy
In our country, there is a specific regulation governing the nature of agritourism , which is different from that of environmental tourism. The national law on agritourism dates back to 1985, Law No. 730/85 to be precise. The regulation, which defines the main activities of an agritourism business, pursues the objective of “supporting agriculture by promoting suitable forms of tourism in the countryside” in harmony “with the agricultural policy guidelines of the EEC, the national agricultural plan, and regional development plans” (read the regulatory provision). The new law regulating tourism was enacted in February of last year: Law No. 96 of February 20, 2006.
Case law defines the main objectives of agritourism. Specifically, these can be of various natures:
- Economically
it aims to improve the income and living conditions of farmers - Socio-cultural
ensures interaction between city and countryside, developing a new form of tourism aimed at promoting and protecting agricultural traditions, also through the valorization of local food and wine. - Environmental
aims to enhance and protect the territory, through the recovery of rural buildings and the conservation of the landscape - Employment develops the primary sector, ensuring the permanence of farmers in the countryside and creating new jobs to cope with the exodus of younger people
The regulations governing agritourism activities are defined at regional level. Specifically, the regions draft an agritourism development plan, taking into account European, national, and regional planning guidelines. This plan outlines the objectives to be pursued to ensure the development of the area.
Each region sets the administrative criteria and limits for operating the business; determines the hygiene requirements for the facilities and equipment used; and grants incentives to those wishing to invest in the agritourism sector. Regarding administrative and accounting regulations, agritourism businesses are subject to a 10% VAT rate; this is why it is essential for the entrepreneur to register the start of such a business. The regulations also send the display of the menu and the applicable prices to the public.
How to open a farmhouse
Any entrepreneur who wants to open a farmhouse must take into account some simple rules:
First, they must have a farm, whether owned, leased, or on loan. Second, this farm must be operational: that is, the agricultural land must be used for agriculture, livestock farming, or forestry.
Tourism accommodation and lodging must be conducted exclusively within rural buildings. These can accommodate a maximum of thirty beds, and the construction of additional buildings is not permitted, only the renovation of existing ones.
To start an agritourism business , you must apply to the Provincial Commission for Agritourism to register with the Regional Register of Agritourism Operators . After submitting the application, the interested party must await an inspection by a regional official who, based on the farm’s working days, will be able to determine the agritourism’s working days.
Subsequently, the entrepreneur must submit an application to the mayor of the municipality where they intend to open the business, specifying the type of agritourism and providing a copy of the land ownership certificate. The municipality will conduct criminal background checks on the applicant and assess the sanitary conditions of the rural structure.
Farm Holidays: Typical Activities
Agritourism businesses can offer hospitality and tourism services , using their own facilities and their own products. Specifically, agritourism business owners can:
- provide accommodation for guests in their premises
- in some periods of the year we welcome tourists camping outside, with a maximum of 6 tents for every 2 hectares of land
- organize recreational and cultural activities within the agricultural estate
- Offer their guests food produced on the farm. In addition to tasting typical products, catering is permitted, provided the meals are prepared with raw materials grown on the farm.
From gastronomy to wellness: the reasons for an evolution
Until recently, consumers associated agritourism with a modest vacation experience, based on “easy-going” hospitality, far removed from hotel accommodations. Prices were modest, as were the services included; in return, tourists enjoyed beautiful scenery and excellent local dishes.
Today, the concept of agritourism has broadened its meaning and has come to include locations of great prestige and historical value (period villas, palaces, etc.). In addition to food, customers can now enjoy a whole range of services, from swimming pools and gyms to spas and wellness areas.
In essence, we could say that today’s consumers are looking for “luxury” agritourism ; the concept of a simple vacation, designed to savor the flavors and traditions of rural life, is disappearing. Today’s consumers want more: a five-star hotel in the middle of the countryside!
Agritourism was born from a tourist’s need for peace and quiet, avoiding crowded places and holidays that are too similar to daily city life. To last, agritourism must be able to satisfy its guests’ needs: from gastronomy to art and nature, to physical and mental well-being. Tourists choose based on what each agritourism offers and, at the same time, consider the agritourism owner, their character, and their lifestyle. The success of an agritourism lies in the owner’s ability to offer their guests something unique, a vacation that is out of the ordinary.
Those who choose a farmhouse in fact want a unique holiday, they want to live an authentic experience in peace and tranquility.
Websites for finding farmhouses
Agriturismi.it,
the portal for farm holidays
Agriturismi.com:
the guide to farmhouses in Italy
Agriturismo.it,
the most visited website about agritourism in Italy
Holiday homes in the Abruzzo National Parks :
Farmhouse accommodations and holiday homes in the Gran Sasso-Laga National Park and the Majella National Park.
Quality accommodation itinerary
Agriturist.it
Countries online
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