Why agritourism will be the post-coronavirus luxury travel trend – ditch the heels and plant rice or herd cattle in Laos, Cambodia and South Africa
When borders reopen, work the land, herd livestock and take part in farm-to-table cooking classes on a luxury holiday in New Zealand, Bali or Laos that takes you to the heart of the countryside
Holidays may be on a hiatus at the moment, but many of us are perpetually dreaming about where we’ll escape to once borders open and travel restrictions lift. Will we go to a luxurious Caribbean beach? Take a glamorous city break to Europe? Or would we prefer herding cows while knee-deep in mud in a field in Indonesia?
Well, it may just be the latter. According to experts, agritourism – where farming and tourism collide – will be at the top of our post-pandemic travel list, with a need for escaping crowds and avoiding urbanisation at the forefront of our minds. Nico Heath, co-founder and director of Lightfoot Travel, says, “rural destinations surrounded by peace and nature will become increasingly popular as guests seek out wide open spaces and eco and community-driven projects that come with a purpose.”
Agritourism encompasses farm stays and countryside experiences such as working the land, cookery classes, herding livestock and immersing yourself in the vibrant local communities, many of which need tourism more than ever right now. Indeed, says Heath, “agritourism is a great way to contribute to communities who rely mainly on farming for their income, and it offers a great education for both tourists and locals. Sadly, the coronavirus has impacted us all, but it has also made us more aware of the planet, the importance of community, and the need to work together.”
Here, Lightfoot Travel reveal five escapes where high-heels are pointless and mucking in is a must.
Avani +, Laos
Get your hands dirty and become an integral part of the community in Laos. The Living Land is a cooperative of seven local families who produce organically-grown vegetables for Luang Prabang’s finest restaurants. To keep business running, they take on volunteers who they teach to work on the rice fields.
It might be slightly harder work than spritzing your succulents at home, but profit from your efforts will go towards educating locals about farming methods and building better schools in the area. Combine your efforts with a stay at Avani+ where their new organic garden welcomes green-fingered types and provides a place for you to hand-pick ingredients for your cooking classes.
Six Senses Krabey Island, Cambodia
Just a few zippy minutes by boat from Cambodia’s south west coast, Krabey Island is 12 hectares (30 acres) of tropical idyll. While Six Senses’ glamorous villas are all about space, privacy and modern minimalist luxury chic, outside there’s a back-to-basics vibe. Guests are invited to visit the resort’s mainland farm where chickens peck at grain, and goats graze between fruit and vegetables grown for the hotel kitchen and local markets.