Agritourism in Asia has great potential to develop rural economies and contribute to national growth. To give policymakers, senior government officials, and heads of agritourism businesses a better understanding of the concept, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) along with the China Productivity Center (CPC) and Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan organized an observational study mission on Best Practices in Agritourism in Taipei, 19–23 November 2018.

The study mission was attended by 17 participants from seven APO member countries. It was facilitated by one APO-assigned resource person from the Netherlands and two from the ROC, who explained the concepts, trends, and characteristics of agritourism and how to develop competitive agritourism projects. The mission also focused on strategic promotion and management of agritourism businesses and how public–private collaboration can be leveraged to make them viable. The schedule included a mix of lectures and field visits.

Various activities in agricultural settings such as outdoor leisure and educational opportunities are usually included in agritour packages. The diversity of nature, culture, traditions, and people in rural areas fascinates urban dwellers and overseas travelers who want to have authentic experiences at their destinations. Locality-based tourism lowers facility investment costs by using people’s residential spaces as accommodations and local specialties for meals. The scenes of daily rural life create pleasant memories and offer emotional satisfaction to visitors.

During the study mission, participants visited Agrioz Candied Fruit Museum in the Zhentoushan Agricultural Leisure Area, Shyang Yeu Organic Tea Farm and Xing-Yuan Tea Farm in the Jhongshan Agricultural Leisure Area, and Flying Cow Ranch and Shan Ban Qiao Leisure Farm to observe their agritourism activities and promotional strategies.

Photo: CPC