What are visitors craving?

As big brother looks over our shoulders, the world being constantly monitored, every moment recorded, people are feeling caged in. They crave a genuine hands on experience, an escape from the walls of the world around them.

This is a fantastic opportunity for agritourism. A real escape back to nature. The real world. Where things came from, how food is made, how people can actually fend for themselves and create their own things. Without modern technology. It’s like a hidden magical world, a glimpse of a simple life that no one understands any more.

With this also comes the expectation of convenience that people surrounded by high tech worlds are used to.

Our challenge as operators is to meet those expectations of ease and convenience. Or else turn it into part of the experience. Make the process smooth but unique or educational. So people talk about what they learnt. Even through your booking system, which for example, can be simple to use and still introduce visitors to your story or teach them something about what lies ahead.

It isn’t always about keeping up with technology. With technology and demand on people’s time and energy increasing, sometimes it’s about the simple things in life.

An article I read the other day discussed ADHD symptoms and the increased mental health and anxiety issues in all ages. The opinion of this article was that this is a signal. A signal that the world is asking too much of our minds and bodies. A sign to go back to basics, to nature, to feel the dirt between our toes.

I challenge you to stop and think. How can your experience be reframed to suit the needs and demands of today’s society. What are people craving more … or less of in your area. And how can you meet that need? Can you fill the gap and bring the craving of nature, freedom and life back into the souls of your visitors?