Scottish Agritourism Conference

This years Scottish Agritourism Conference took place in Perth over the 18 and 19 of November. 

A range of sessions took place over the two conference days including, a wide variety of speakers and panellists all relevant to the Sector. There was a real buzz around the venue as delegates connected and networked with exhibitors, sponsors and each other.

Scottish Agritourism secured several international speakers: Pandurang Taware, Agri Tourism Development Cooperation India and Marijke Dunselman, Agritourism New Zealand this year who provided fascinating insights into their resepctive countries arroach to the sector.  The conferece was also joined by Canadian Agritourism representatives, Pierre and Keleigh Cormier.

Also featured was a session lead by members of the Agritourism Futures Scholarship Programme 2024, funded by Scottish Rural Network (SRN). The Programme covers 30 places for under-35-year-olds to attend four days of development, incorporating two days at the Scottish Agritourism conference and two pre-conference workshop days. Several scholars reported back on their learnings and how they will apply to their own situations in one of the conference sessions.

The conference laid out the sectors aspirations for the Global Agritourism Conference, which will be hosted by Scotland in Aberdeen in 2026.

Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture & Connectivity delivered a keynote speech, recognising the importance of the sector. He said: 

"I am delighted that Scotland will be hosting the global Agritourism Conference in Aberdeen in 2026. Those taking part have seized the opportunities to diversify farming and rural businesses to embrace hospitality or food and drink and are incredible examples of what is possible".

You can find the Scottish Agritourism conference sumnmary at International Benchmarking and Knowledge Sharing a Focus at Scottish Agritourism Conference - Scottish Agritourism