Harvest Hosts, a platform that connects RV travelers with unique overnight stays—from farms and breweries to golf courses—reports that 65 percent of RVers are now interested in agritourism. Many say they want not only to stay on farms but to participate in farm work during their travels. Pitchup.com, which lists camping and glamping sites, notes that three of its top-performing campgrounds in 2025 so far are located on farms, underlining growing demand for farm-based stays.
Dr. Marta Soligo, assistant professor at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, says this surge in agritourism and farm stays was predictable. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated interest in outdoor recreation, and that trend shows no sign of fading. People are seeking escapes from dense urban environments and the repetitive routines of office life, and farms offer direct contact with nature and food production.
“Agritourism gives visitors a unique chance to reconnect with natural processes and local products in a world increasingly shaped by industrialization,” Dr. Soligo explains. “Travelers who are tired of city traffic and office routines increasingly look for hands-on experiences like winemaking and fruit and vegetable picking. Farms that provide these activities are seeing growing success.”
Beltana Farm restaurant meal © Visit Canberra
Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, echoes this view: agritourism appeals because it provides relief from daily routines, desk jobs and urban life. As younger generations increasingly report burnout, experiences that allow short returns to nature—whether through RV trips or brief farm stays—are becoming more attractive.
Agritourism experiences aren’t limited to camping or RV travel. Around the world, hotels and resorts are integrating farm-based activities with comfortable accommodations. In Stellenbosch, South Africa, Spier Wine Farm opened Spier Hotel to deepen guest engagement with the farm. “We’ve long promoted farm-to-table dining and regenerative farming,” says Austen Johnston, director of operations. “The new Spier Hotel places gardens near guest rooms, features menus built around seasonal farm produce, and creates opportunities for guests to meet our winemakers and growers, offering a truly immersive experience.”
In Loudon, Tennessee, Windy Hill Farm and Preserve developed its lodging program in response to early pandemic demand for rural experiences and the belief that interest would continue. The 650-acre property provides all-inclusive boutique stays where guests can participate in gardening, beekeeping, hiking and forest bathing, says Monty Howards, director of lodging.
Some regions are seeing agritourism grow across the board. Since September 2020, Australia has experienced nearly a 50 percent increase in tourism operators offering farm-, food-, and agriculture-related experiences. Canberra has become a notable hub, with properties like Beltana Farm offering luxury yurt accommodations on an 800-tree truffle farm—opened to meet rising demand for authentic, upscale agricultural stays.
Looking ahead, Dr. Soligo expects agritourism to expand beyond leisure travel and into business events. Venues rooted in agriculture could increasingly host meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), blending productive work sessions with immersive rural experiences.