subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 21 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Jeff Weeks visits with Kate Kelly with the Tahlequah Tourism office.
Renee Fite / Tahlequah Daily Press


Published January 16, 2008 03:24 pm - A regional agritourism coordinator provided encouraging words to Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday.

Agritourism the next big thing


By RENEE FITE
Press special writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS

Agritourism has made the dictionary, Jeff Weeks was pleased to announce during the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast Tuesday morning.

Weeks is the eastern region coordinator for agritourism with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

Agritourism diversifies farm and ranch operations by adding opportunities for people to visit or participate in activities from star-gazing to horseback riding, from pumpkin patches and corn mazes. And then there’s hunting, fishing, camping and other activities that can increase the capacity to boost on-farm revenue without increasing acreage.

“Agriculture has long been the states leading industry, and tourism is third,” Weeks said during his slide show presentation at Go Ye Village.

More than $4.5 billion in travel-generated spending was reported last year in Oklahoma – and the state boasts more than 70,000 jobs.

“We have 50 licensed wineries in the state,” Weeks said. “We have farm and ranch stays, hayrides, wildlife watching, U Pick It farms, bed and breakfasts, camp-outs, campfires, chuck wagon cookouts – many opportunities to see farm products,” Weeks said.

Weeks said agritourism is the fastest-growing trend in the global market, with two-thirds of the adults in the U.S. traveling to rural destinations for leisure last year.

“People are taking shorter vacations – ‘get-aways’ – and traveling more by car, and taking last-minute trips,” he said. “They’re looking for ‘family time’ on vacation – time to bond and experience each other, reconnect with their rural roots, reminisce.”

He noted the general population is three to five generations away from the family farm.

Unique and authentic experiences are the attractions.

“Fabricated fun is out,” Weeks said. “Disney has been done. People want to get away from the rat race and experience the hospitality and safety of rural areas.”

Agritourists are divided into four categories: active doers, 21 percent, are “highly educated and have big wallets; scenic relaxers, 26 percent, enjoy hiking and camping; big trippers are 23 percent’ and homebodies are 30 percent.

“Agritourism in also an opportunity to educate the public about how food is grown,” Weeks said. “It keeps tourists in the area longer, brings new money into the community with food, lodging, fuel and local shopping.”

One pumpkin patch and corn maze had 17,000 people visit last year, he said.

Agritourists come from every state and many countries, with Germany sending the most.



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Help Wanted
RN Quality Manager We are looking for a RN to fill a position in our Long Term care Nursing Home as part of a Quality Ma...>MORE

Help Wanted
Skelly School- Accepting applications for an Elementary Physical Education Teacher for the remainder of the 2009-10 scho...>MORE

Help Wanted
LPN: 10pm To 6am position open for our Long Term Care/ Medicare Facility. We offer competitive salary, 401k, health be...>MORE

Help Wanted
Medical Technologist needed in Tahlequah, OK to, under limited supervision, perform blood tests in all areas of the labo...>MORE

Help Wanted
LPN/ Wound Care Nurse: We need a LPN for a full-time position for our Wound Care Nurse. Experience in Long Term Care a...>MORE

See all ads

Premium cars

Used Trucks for Sale
1992 Dodge Dakota $2,200. Call 207-2270...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

House for Rent
3bdrm, 1ba $500 Deposit, $600 Month. 207-2899...>MORE

House For Rent:
2bdrm, 1ba, CHA. 1 mile West of 51 Bypass. $525 month, $500 deposit. 456-3018...>MORE

Mobile Homes For Sale
ATTENTION HOME OWNERS Buy A New Home,
And Receive Up To $6500.00 Rebate Limited Time
Call Now To Qualify 479
...>MORE

Duplex for Rent
Luxury Large 2bdrm, 2ba all appliances, W&D, garage. Near golf course. $795 month. 918-261-4957...>MORE

Mobile Homes For Rent:
2Bdrm Rent Now Get December Free! call or click for details 457-4100, www.rentoklahoma.net...>MORE

House for Sale
BRAND NEW HOME! Illinois River Ranch on 3 beautiful acres, 3BR/2BA, spacious open living plan, move-in ready, gated comm...>MORE

Mobile Homes For Sale
MOBILE HOME SUPER CENTER Let Us Custom Build Your Affordable Dream Home. We Offer Singles, Doubles, And Triplewides. ...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Camper for Sale
Camper Truck asking $3,500.00 call 918-207-9740...>MORE

Acreage for Lease
apx 15 acres in town call 918-822-7084, 918-456-9424....>MORE

Acreage For Sale:
3Acres +/- , Available for site built or new mobile home. Several tracts to choose from 6 miles +/- NW of Tahlequah H...>MORE

Commercial Property
Ed’s Service Station, 901 E. Downing, available for lease January 1, 2010. Contact Jim McSpadden (918)931-0227 or (918)...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index