Agricultural Tourism in Iran
Urban life and urbanization have taken many of us away from nature. These have caused many urban people to not know about rural life. One of the newest tourist categories is agricultural tourism or Agri-tourism. It makes people more familiar with rural life.
Agricultural tourism means the movement of people from their place of residence to rural areas to spend leisure time and gain pleasure. In general, farm activities can be for fun or entertainment or educational purposes to see and enjoy agricultural activities, livestock, Historical, cultural activities, harvest, etc.
Agricultural tourism is vital to achieve rural development and generate secondary income for the rural community. In fact, with the prosperity of agriculture tourism, it is possible to earn a separate revenue from agriculture for rural families and a way to meet the spiritual needs and diversity of today’s tourists, as well as a way to develop and prosper rural areas and away for villagers to return to their homes and farms.
In many countries, agricultural tourism has become a way to earn more revenues for the villagers. It has preserved natural resources and encouraged tourists to eat healthy food. In this type of tourism, tourists spend their time on farms and in the vicinity of the villagers, agricultural activities. And in fact, this tourism is the experience of rural life.
Regarding agritourism in Iran, we have to mention as Iran has got several different climates, one may find different types of agricultural products here and there. Although the general presupposition about Iran states that it is a dry country without agriculture, the facts show the opposite situation. There are various agricultural products in semi-arid and arid areas of Iran that are the most amazing ones.
The rural lifestyle in northern Iran is very different from the lifestyle in the south of the country. These differences can lead to a boom in agricultural tourism in Iran. The existence of villages and high cultural diversity in our country is a good ground for promoting agricultural tourism in Iran. Also, the diversity of rural lifestyles in different parts can increase this tourism in our country.
Promoting agriculture tourism in Iran could lead to cultural exchanges. It pushes the local economy forward and protects the cultural roots among the rural society of Iran.
Rural development instabilities in Iran have long been the main problem for development programs. It seems that by supporting rural tourism businesses, the government can guarantee the population of rural settlements. Also, they could provide foundations for local community development and the survival of rural culture. Therefore, investing in agricultural and rural tourism attracts more visitors to the villages with different motivations. It is a sure way to make the development of these areas possible.
Since Iran has old roots in agriculture, agricultural tourism in the country can take on wide dimensions. Iran is a country that already has a high potential for this type of tourism. In recent years, rural tourism activists have started to set up many eco-lodges for the fans, and many are ready to provide services to tourists. Many other businesses have room for growth and prosperity in this area.
Holding museums and agricultural exhibitions, raising domestic animals, planting flowers and plants, boating and fishing, harvesting, getting acquainted with cooking local food, visiting the fodder and grain warehouse,
Activities such as Horse riding, learning to make a variety of dairy products, sewing, knitting, camping, relaxing in cottages and country houses could engage you while experiencing agricultural tourism.
Agricultural tourism is one of the oldest forms of tourism. Its history dates back to the late nineteenth century. During World War II in the 1930s and 1940s, when the world economy was in deep recession, people, especially in war-torn countries, moved to the outskirts of cities and villages and experienced different types of rural tourism.
One factor that led tourists to pay more attention to agricultural tourism was their presence in villages, farms, and fields. The importance of agriculture tourism increased in the following decades, and rural tourists assisted landowners in farming, plowing, weeding and picking crops, cleaning stables, and taking care of domestic animals.
Agriculture tourism became more popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with services like accommodation and catering to visitors. Today, in addition to all these cases, agri-tourism has become more popular, and agencies and tourism service offices organize agricultural tourism tours, which have many fans.
For visitors and tourists, agricultural tourism is a valuable opportunity to get away from routine and regular daily life. People will enjoy the peace of living in the village and farm. With this type of tourism, they gain valuable and unique experiences. Get acquainted with the culture and customs of local communities; Contribute to farmers’ economies and local loans; They buy some of their daily necessities fresh and fresh, directly and cheaply. From an economic point of view, agricultural tourism has a positive effect on the level of employment, the revenue of the local community and helps to improve their welfare and comfort, as well as the development of their villages and hamlets and neighboring villages and farms.
Director-General of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad said: “Establishment of nomadic camps and eco-lodges in Kohgiluyeh due to the capacity of the natural climate, a variety of local food and cuisine can lead to experiences for tourists and income generation.” For the people of the region.
He mentioned four tourism target villages in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. He continued: the development of rural tourism, the establishment of nomadic camps, the development of ecotourism with economic prosperity in the villages, and the prevention of migration are the most incredible work plans of this office in 2021.
The potential of Iranian agricultural tour packages invites everyone to this country to discover and experience products such as saffron, dates, barberry, pomegranate, rice, pistachios, etc.
In addition, products from water-rich areas are apples, apricots, walnuts, cherries, watermelons, citrus fruits, etc.
Another wonderful experience for agricultural tourism fans in Iran is a trip to places where many vegetables and spices are grown. Iran is famous for planting and exporting dried vegetables, herbal infusions, and medicinal plants.