Sinead Hennessy, food development officer with Failte Ireland told the audience in Ballinasloe that overseas business has grown by 42% since 2012. And the trend was set to continue.

She said tourists want an ‘authentic’ experience, they want to live like a local. Agri-tourism has four clear strengths that matches the wants of these tourists: a great reputation for hospitality, stand out green credentials, close to source ingredients and high-quality natural ingredients.

While agri-tourism is recognised as a driver of tourism and rural sustainability there is no dedicated agri-tourism strategy. Sinead said the sector is well catered for across the Failte Ireland niche marketing strategy. However, she was open to hearing about any collaborative projects the sector might generate.

Well-known Co Clare entrepreneur Padraig Giblin told the conference that farm diversification starts at the farm gate.

“Farmers often don’t realise the potential of their farms. I would suggest there should be a feasibility study of farms that’s carried out by business people. The potential could be eye-opening. I know access to funds is an issue but surely there would be EU funding to help make these farms sustainable’.

Niall Moore runs Clonanny Farm shop near the Naul in Co Dublin. His advice to farmers thinking of diversifying is to ‘think outside the box’, “there’s more to be made on farms than people think. I keep an eye on what’s happening with farm shops and restaurants in the UK.”

His comments were echoed by Bernadine Mulhall of Coolanowle Country House in Co Carlow. ‘The potential is there. If you get the next generation involved, give them their head. They will see opportunities their parents haven’t dreamt of. If you like the business, have the energy for it then the sky is the limit,” she said.

The conference was organised by Teagasc, Failte Ireland and Galway County Council