Coffee and tobacco farms in Panama increase their performance when they are used not only as farms but also as rural tourism destinations.
Agricultural production combined with recreation and tourist attraction has created additional financial income for Panamanian producers. According to statistics from the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) released by Laestrella.com.pa, the number of agritourism farms in the country rose from 28 in 2014 to 220 in 2015.
Tourism companies are being called on to take part in Expotur on May 11th- 13th at the Centro Kolbi Parque Viva, in Alajuela.
The 32nd edition of Expotur, the main tourism marketing fair in Costa Rica, will be held from 11th to 13th of May this year in the Centro Kölbi Parque Viva in Guácima, Alajuela, and will highlight the cultural component within the tourist experience.
The First Congress of Tourism Integration will be held on the March 22nd and 23rd in Panama City, with the objective of establishing a road map for the sector.
With this conference the Tourism Authority of Panama is aiming to bring together the different players in the industry in order to establish the roadmap for the sector.
"... Twelve workshops will be held, each relating to a market segment.The idea is that each workshop presents the current situation in its segment, holds a debate and draws conclusions which can be translated into action, " said Alfredo Motta, event organizer to Laestrella.com.pa.
A study by Fundes sees a potential for promoting rural tourism in tilapia farms in El Salvador.
The project by Fundes El Salvador propose the idea that rural tourism could push forward the development of aquaculture in the country and revive local economies (Fundes is an NGO that supports the development of small businesses as an alternative to poverty).
The bill being presented seeks to promote rural community tourism by granting concessions on the islands in the Gulf of Nicoya for up to 35 years.
In order to promote the social, economic and ecotourism development of the islands in Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya, a bill presented recently to the country's congress recommends establishing concessions to be awarded as a priority to Costa Rican's living on the islands in possession of the appropriate papers and permits from the local municipal government.
The Law on Development of Rural Community Tourism regulates procedures for companies in order to be eligible for tax exemptions, among other incentives.
With the publication of this Law in the Official Newspaper, the 250 Costa Rican companies dedicated to community-based tourism can initiate the process to choose a system of incentives and exemptions under Act 8724, in force since November 2009, designate rural community tourism activities as follows:
Between January and July growth of 5% was reported in rural community tourism.
The 90 farms that are part of Nicaragua's Agro-tourism Farms initiative have reported an increase in tourist numbers, comments Harold Ramos Orozco, president of Nicaraguan Rural Community Tourism Network (Renitural in Spanish).
Ramos added to Laprensa.com.ni that, "the project is public-private partnership that seeks to create farming tourism models that can be used by the 90 farms that belong to the scheme".
The first National Rural and Community Conference is to be held with the aim of contributing to the development of rural communities.
The event, organised by the Tourism Ministry (Mitur) will bring together various communities to present their tourism products.
Rita Cartagena, Mitur’s head of territorial development, told Laprensagrafica.com that the conference hopes to raise the local and international profile of the huge variety of activities possible.
Inspired by Gites de France, the Rural Inn Network looks for 50 members in the short term.
This is a new business option for those who own land or country houses. It is expected to reactivate local economies and foster tourism.
“Rest as in your home. This is the difference between rural inns and the rest of the hotels. The concept includes specially decorated rooms, homemade food and specially personalized attention”, explained Mercedes de Lemcke, president of the network.
The recently constituted National Rural Tourism Chamber will group all associations, cooperatives and foundations related to Rural Tourism.
Yorleny Fontana, Vice president of the chamber, dubbed Canturural for its Spanish initials, indicated that one item in the agenda is the preparation of a joint tourism strategy for the sector.
"The new law will allow tax breaks to strengthen companies that engage in rural community tourism and their associates, fostering development and job creation" published newspaper "La Prensa Libre" in its website.