Agritourism as a Form of Free Time Activity Among Families with Kids in Poland

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of the article is to show agritourism as a form of free time activity for families. Several research problems were adopted in the study. These include, which elements of the village and agriculture are rural tourism potential? what locations are preferred by tourists? what are the reasons for choosing agritourism as a way of spending free time, and what influences the choice of a specific facility? what forms of spending time during the stay in the countryside were chosen by tourists and what activities did the respondents most often take with their children? Design/Methodology/Approach: The study involved a literature review and a diagnostic survey based on a questionnaire. The survey was disseminated in 2019 through social media -Facebook. The sample included 234 people who recently rested on an agritourism farm with children under 14 years old. Findings:The respondents preferred several shorter breaks to one longer farm stay. The most appealing locations of agritourism farms included destinations near a lake or river, the mountains or the sea. Recreation in the countryside was valued by the respondents mainly due to the tranquillity of the farmland atmosphere and health benefits of rural areas. The choice of a particular farm was mostly determined by the price, as well as the distance and convenience of getting there. The most enjoyed recreational physical activities undertaken in the country included hiking and cycling. The responders were pleased with their vacation on an agritourism farm. Practical Implications: The presented results can be an inspiration and a valuable hint for farm owners who are considering or are at the stage of creating / modifying an agritourism farm aimed at servicing families with children. Originality/value: The presented issues are rarely undertaken in research. Existing studies were general and not very detailed or were undertaken on a small research sample.