When we think about Rural Community Tourism, it possible comes to our minds a series of confusing images because in the rural space a huge variety of training options and attractiveness get together and it makes difficult to tie it as a sales touristic product.
Rural Tourism in Costa Rica
The term Rural Tourism is been developed in Europe since the 1950s due to a political reason to recover the territory and the rural development. So, Rural Vacation-Touristic Stay and Rural Tourism development have passed from a complementary activity to a sector with real renting and business perspectives within a sustainable context.
Today, Rural Tourism in Europe counts with more than 500,000 establishments and according to the Rural Stays of the European Federation, it shows an increased between the 10 and 15% annually.
The term Rural Tourism has three interpretations:
- As an activity related to the agro, it means agro-tourism.
- As a touristic attractions, based on rural resources with a maximum integration of the economical, social and cultural structures.
- In rural space, in which all touristic activity developed in a rural environment is accepted, which no social or cultural integration.
In Costa Rica during the beginnings of the 90s, an offer is being developed. It has its own characteristics lead by the people, mostly agriculture people. Nowadays, this is what we call Rural Community Tourism.
In Costa Rica, what do we understand as Rural Community Tourism?
Touristic experiences planned and sustainable integrated to the rural ewnvironment, and developed by locals who are organized for the benefit of the community (ICT-Alianza TRC, 2005)
Rural Community Tourism is a vivid experience for the tourist. It allows to integrate the nature richness, the community daily life and dynamic of the farming activities into an attractive product for the national and international market.
The interesting tourist is oriented to know and enjoy the country and the farming, their daily activities, valuing the real meaning of quality life that has nothing to do with luxury and comfort. This activity considers the participation of the tourist in walks around the towns, knowing different production alternatives, discovering the local gastronomy, fishing, and participating in local fairs.
This sector is for an active tourism who wants to go to the field to harvest yucca, pineapples, milk cows and drink milk right from the cows, pick up coffee crops, make tortillas, and learn to make cheese.
This tourism is characterized to offer a personal contact that brings the opportunities to enjoy the natural and human environment of the rural zones with the advantage of facilities offered by the locals, through local organizations or family businesses.
Which is the difference between the Rural Community Tourism and other kinds of tourism?
- It integrates the natural richness and the daily life of the rural community.
- The enterprise abilities from the locals are developed.
- It promotes and integrates sustainable productive practices within the touristic offer.
- It generates productive local chains, local employment and personal growing.
- The touristic experience preserves “what rural is” by fortifying the region’s culture.
- It’s stable because of the local management and participation.
- It distributes the benefits and diversifies the incomes of the rural families.
- It promotes the sustainable use and the protection of the land possession by the locals.
Who are Rural Community Tourist clients?
The growing interest for environmental issues and the emerge of the responsible consumer movement or fair trade have generated an important niche for travelers who desire to benefit the communities and the conservation.
The touristic offer of the rural communities appears like a consistent option with the new dynamics of the market formed by responsible travelers, philanthropists, volunteers, students and travelers who desire a more direct contact with the communities, and others that seek for adventure in spots unexplored or new routes.
The Rural Community Tourism is also an accessible option for national tourism, because it promotes leisure activities, another option for the “shopping center culture”. It educates the people to enjoy nature and stimulates the pride of the local roots.
Why is so difficult to sell Rural Community Tourism?
- Because it is an experience more than a service.
- It is the only personal and non-packaged product.
- It is a cultural exchange.
- It is usually located in non-traditional touristic zones.
What is it that makes these places unique as an experience of Rural Community Tourism?
- Familiar Attention
- The hosts and guides are locals who really know their own history.
- Contact with Nature in highly unexplored sites.
- New routes and new destinations.
- Contribute with the efforts of the local conservation.
How to sell Rural Community Tourism?
- It is necessary to understand the concept and the goal. Read and investigate and share.
- Visiting places that offer alternatives for this kind of tourism, talking to people, be related with their dreams and hopes, knowing their efforts and the desire to go on with their touristic projects, as they usually call them.
- Recommend how to improve their business. Locals are absolutely open to listen good advice.
- Locate the initiative in the touristic map, know the environment of the destination and the local touristic dynamic.
- Explore options to attract people with new traditional routes, a detour, or a stop.
- Being creative in the development of programs and touristic packages, the initiatives can incorporate more
options, extensions or mixtures with ecotourism or traditional tourism.
- Create exchange programs for culture, farming and feeding routes.
- Being patient. The rural tourism response is slower than the traditional business people.
