The Agri Food Tourism Development Program has been developed to assist local agribusinesses to diversify and expand their tourism offerings.
Agri Food Tourism Development Program
What is the Agri Food Tourism Development Program?
Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland, in collaboration with Destination Riverland and the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong Tourism Alliance, will be delivering the Agri Food Tourism Development (AFTD) Program over three stages through grant funding by the Australian Government under the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program (MDBEDP).
Stage One of the AFTD Program will focus primarily on towns located in the Riverland, including Berri, Barmera, Cobdogla, Loxton, and extending to Swan Reach.
Stage Two of the Program will be delivered in towns located in the Murraylands and Riverland, including Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge, Mannum, Blanchetown, Morgan and Waikerie.
Stage Three will enable participants to collaborate across the region and open up opportunities to develop region-wide agritourism experiences.
Through this staged process we intend to achieve:
- Businesses diversifying to create value-add opportunities (including tourism) to increase profits
- Increases in and promotion of the amount of local produce on local menus
- More food and beverage trails, and pick your own and farm stay experiences.
What is Agritourism?
DEFINITION OF AGRITOURISM: “A tourism related experience or product that connects agricultural products, people or places with visitors on a farm or rural land.”
According to Australian Regional Tourism, over 7 million visitors seek agritourism (farm gate and winery) experiences in Australia each year, with a total value of around $11 billion to the Australian economy. And it’s growing! Between December 2016 and 2017, domestic farm gate stays increased by 65%, and international overnight farm gate visits increased by 81%.
In recognition of this trend, of our region’s strengths in agribusiness, and our connection with the Murray River, Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland, Destination Riverland and the Murray River, Lakes & Coorong Tourism Alliance have combined efforts to maximise the agritourism potential across our region.
How will the Program achieve its goals?
The AFTD Program will provide opportunities for agribusinesses to leverage from the increasing consumer demand for knowledge of food provenance, including regional and farm stories behind the produce they consume.
The Program will bring food and agritourism experts to the region to work with local agri- and food businesses who are interested in expanding and diversifying into agri- and food tourism opportunities, such as farm stays, farm tours, ‘pick your own’ trails, and local food experiences and tastings.
Participating businesses will be provided with the resources to initiate and grow business opportunities and to develop relationships between local producers, and purveyors of local food and beverage.
Advice from select experts is provided free of charge to AFTD Program participants.
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to participate in the AFTD Program, you can do so by completing the form provided below and clicking ‘Submit and Register’. This will enable us to provide you with Program updates and login access to make appointments with experts.
EVENTS
The AFTD Program features a series of webinars focusing on the Australian food and agritourism industry, with a showcase of South Australian case studies. A selection of industry-leading experts will be available for consultation through the program and will be introduced during the webinars.
Food Tourism Development
Thursday 12th November 2020 1:30pm – 2:30pm
The Agri Food and Tourism Development Program (AFTD) is set to launch on Thursday 12 November 2020 with an online experience focusing on food tourism development for agribusinesses that are interested in expanding or diversifying into the tourism and food industries.
The program aims to generate new revenue streams and value chain growth opportunities for irrigated agribusinesses and food tourism businesses in the Riverland and Murraylands by providing access to experts in the fields of agri and food tourism, including celebrity chefs Simon Bryant and Simon Burr.
Simon Bryant was excited to offer his expertise to elevate regional produce on local menus and Simon Burr is looking forward to helping local restaurants to engineer their menus more effectively. Both are passionate about regional produce and how this program can help shine a light on food tourism.
Our one-on-one Experts will also be introduced at the end of the webinar, so hop on and get to know the Expert that could assist your business to boost local Food Tourism in our region and the profit in your pocket!
Introduction to Agritourism
Postponed until January 2021
The opportunities continue for Riverland and Murraylands agribusinesses to access information from leading experts in their fields with the Introduction to Agritourism Webinar in January 2021. Hayden Zammit, Director of Tourism Accelerator will be introducing us to the exciting space of Agritourism and what potentials it can have for our regions agribusinesses.
Hayden will be joined by two South Australian agribusinesses who have taken agritourism head on;
Helen Lindon from Marble Hill Cherries – South Australian ‘Pick Your Own’ experience, how this increased the profits of her businesses;
Damian McArdle from Paracombe Premium Perry – Succession Planning and Value, taking a 3rd generational family pear orchard and value adding onsite perry production and a tourism venue to their income stream!
Our One on One Experts will also be introduced at the end of the webinar, so hop on and get to know the Expert that could assist your business to take on an Agritourism flavour.
Register now for the free webinar!