Overview
Rural tourism sector- Agritourism concept in Belgium launched in the sixties
- 47% of the Belgium territory dedicated to the agricultural sector (2003), employing 2% of the active population.
- 20 000 farmers in Belgium, of which 6 000 have got diversified activities (among which agritourism activities)
- Start of organized agritourism promotion in 1973 by the "Alliance Agricole Belge" and continuous development in each region of specific holiday’s programs such as "Agri-vacances", "agri-accueil" or "agritour"
- Large contribution of the Belgium authorities to the development of agritourism via financial help systems for farmers (grants, loans, subsidies)
- According to the "Alliance Agricole Belge", rural tourism in Belgium must not be seen as an individual and lucrative activity but more as a general development with social and cultural objectives: therefore, in Belgium the use of the term rural tourism is more adapted than ‘agritourism’.
Rural tourism marketing organizations1. Wallonie Rural tourism associations in Wallonie are very active, especially “Accueil Champêtre” and “Gîtes de Wallonie” (Wallonian Tourism Office, pers. com.) Accueil Champêtre en Wallonie
Chaussee de Namur, 47
5080 Gembloux
Tel: (+32) 81 60 00 60
Fax : (+32) 81 60 04 46
E-mail : accueilchampetre@fwa.be
www.accueilchampetre.be/
This association was created in 2001 out of two others, Fetourag and Utra, that have been promoting rural tourism in Wallonie since the nineteen sixties.
In 2003, the association “Accueil Champêtre”: - Published a guide of 200 pages listing all the accommodation (guesthouse, gîtes, camping, “fermes pédagogiques, “fermes gourmandes”) and other activities available on farms in Wallonie. This guide is distributed for free in regional tourism houses, local tourist offices, etc.
- Launched a project to create thematic tourism routes of one or more days, aimed at families and groups. Gîtes de Wallonie
Avenue du Prince de Liege, 1
B – 5100 NAMUR (JAMBES)
Tel. (+32) 81 31 18 00
Fax (+32) 81 31 02 00
Mail: gitesdewallonie@skynet.be
www.gitesdewallonie.net
Member of Eurogites. Promotion mainly of the “gîtes à la ferme” and “gîtes ruraux”.
In Wallonie, general tourism organizations are also involved in the development of rural tourism. In 2001, a campaign called « au cœur des saveurs, année des terroirs et des arts de la table en Wallonie et à Bruxelles » has been launched by the tourism organization OPT Wallonie Bruxelles in collaboration with various tourism partners. A brochure including gastronomical aspects, folklore, handicraft, art de vivre and holidays on farms, has been distributed in Belgium and abroad. http://dossiers.lesoir.be/regions/wallonie/A_03A2B2.asp 2. Flanders Vlaamse Federatie voor Hoeve- en Plattelandstoerisme vzw
Minderbroedersstraat 8
3000 Leuven
Tel.: (+32) 16 24 21 58
Fax: (+32) 16 24 21 87
E-mail: hoevetoerisme@boerenbond.be
www.hoevetoerisme.be
The Flemish federation for Farm and Country Tourism (Vlaamse Federatie voor Hoeve- en Plattelandstoerisme) is promoting 137 farms or rural accommodations, classified among 4 categories (4 clovers). Reservation system on Internet. Rural tourism training organizations1. Wallonie Rural tourism training is being organized as a collaboration of the following partners: - two accommodation provider’s associations: “Gîtes de Wallonie” & “Accueil Champêtre”
- two general training centers in Wallonie: “Institut de formation pour les PME” & “FOREM”
2. Flanders Two main organizations providing courses: - Minor training organization: the rural tourism promotion organization “Vlaamse Federatie voor Hoeve logies”
- Major network: “Vlaams Instituut voor het zelfstandig ondernemen” (VIZO) which has 22 training centers located in the Flanders providing harmonized training.
Low interest of farmers for rural tourism training. Mainly basic courses organised. In agricultural schools in Belgium-Flanders, little attention is given to rural tourism (Mr. Van Mierloo, pers.com). |
