Developing agrotourism in the Caribbean

Agro/Agri-tourism is "any activity, enterprise or business that links agriculture with products, services and experiences in tourism" according to the Inter American institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).  

IICA sees agrotourism as the "repositioning of the agricultural sector to maximize the integration of indigenous food, culture, wellness and the environment into a sustainable tourism experience."  Key elements include farm-based tourism, community tourism, agro-heritage tourism, agro-trade (agribusiness), culinary tourism and health and wellness tourism. Agro-tourism products can be classified as:

• Fixed attractions – historic plantations; agricultural museums; village rum shops; herb/exotic gardens; and produce and craft markets
• Events – agricultural fairs; local festivals; and special events
• Services – farm tours; rural bed and breakfast; spas; alternative medicines; agro-processing; and agro-trade with tourism operators

Since both the tourism and agricultural sectors are major economic sectors in the Caribbean, developing this niche not only makes sense as part of tourism product diversification but also because of the potential opportunities it presents from enhancing intersectoral linkages, adding value along the tourism supply chain and reducing foreign exchange leakage.

In an effort to advance this at the regional and national levels, the Caribbean Tourism Organization joined forces with IICA, CARICOM, The European Commission and the Government of Barbados to conduct the regional Workshop "Agriculture and Tourism Working Together – A Strong Business Opportunity for the Caribbean Region". It took place In Barbados from 20-22 September, 2011 with the objective of initiating the development of a Programme and Action Plan for the promotion of linkages between Agriculture and Tourism in the Caribbean with public and private sector input from both sectors.  One aspect of Plan would be to encourage the development of agrotourism attractions such as the ones highlighted below.

• Aruba – Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory (http://www.ArubaAloe.com);
• The Bahamas – Goodfellow Farms;
• Barbados – Mount Gay Distillery Tour and Estate (http://www.mountgay.com);
• Belize – Garifuna restaurants
• Bermuda – Palm Grove Gardens; The Botanical Gardens; Verdmont House Museum
• British Virgin Islands – Josiah’s Bay Plantation; Callwood Rum Distillery; 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works
• Curacao – Den Paradera medicinal botanical garden; Marco’s FishFarm; Curaloe EcoCity and Aloe Vera Plantage http://www.aloecuracao.com/); Curacao Liquer Factory (http://www.curacaoliqueur.com/)
• Dominica – Rodney’s Wellness Retreat (www.rodneyswellness.com); Crescent Moon Cabins (http://www.crescentmooncabins.com); Exotica (http://www.exotica-cottages.com/); Rainforest Mushrooms (www.geocities.com/rainforestmushroomsdominica); Ti Kwen Glo Cho
• Dominican Republic – El Sendero del Cacao historical organic cocoa tours at Hacienda La Esmeralda (http://www.cacaotour.com); La Ruta del Café Dominicano  (Coffee Route) (http://www.larutadelcafedominicano.org);
• Grenada – Belmont Estate museum and organic cocoa plantation tours (http://www.belmontestate.net); Dougladston estate; Gouyave Nutmeg Factory; River Antoine Rum Distillery and Organic Banana Plantation; Jessamine Eden organic farm (jessamine-eden.com); Westerhall Estate run distillery;
• Guadeloupe – La Griveliere heritage  coffee plantation (http://www.vetevallee-guadeloupe.com); Guadeloupe National Park rainforest; Distillerie Bologne
• Guyana – Demerara Distillers Ltd. (http://www.demrum.com);
• Jamaica – Baronhall Estate tour (http://www.wallenfordblue.com); Appleton Estate
• Puerto Rico – La Ruta del Café coffee plantation tour;
• St. Lucia – Rabot Estate Cocoa Plantation fruit tasting safari and Hotel Chocolat – a luxurious boutique hotel (http://www.thehotelchocolat.com); Fond Doux Holiday Plantation and estate tours (http://www.fonddouxestate.com); Balenbouche Estate plantation organic farming tours (http://www.balenbouche.com); Fond Latisab Creole Park; Errard Estate; Morne Coubaril Estate; La Sikwe Historical Sugar Mill and Plantation; Marquis Estate; Nick Troubetzkoy’s Emerald Estate Cacao Plantation and Jade Mountain Chocolate Festival (December 9-12, 2011) http://www.jademountain.com; Le Haut Resort – former coconut and  cocoa estate
• Trinidad – Carmel Estate; San Juan Cocoa estate;  Maracas Bay AgriTourism Park (http://www.maracasbayagritourismpark.com; House of Angostura (http://www.angostura.com); Lopinot Historical Complex, Ortinola Great House(www.ortinola.com); The Toco Foundation Agro-Tourism Centre (tocofoundation.org); Brasso Seco Paria Village (http://www.brassosecoparia.com); Paramin Village
• Tobago – Tobago Cocoa Estate W. I. Ltd. estate and culinary tours (http://www.tobagococoa.com); Adventure Farm and Eco Villas – nature reserve and organic farm (http://www.adventure-ecovillas.com); Richmond Great House (http://www.richmondgreathouse.com)
• US Virgin Islands – Cruzan Rum Distillery (http://www.cruzanrum.com)

For a cornucopia of Caribbean sustainable success stories see: http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=1151128