Farm tourism in Canterbury and the West Coast : a geographical analysis

The thesis presents the results of a geographical analysis of farm tourism in Canterbury and the West Coast. This thesis is the first of its kind in the study region and contributes to the steadily growing body of literature on farm tourism. The analysis involved using a postal questionnaire survey to 69 farmers operating tourism ventures. This was supplemented by personal interviews with farmers and members of farm tourism coordinating companies. The analysis was carried out at the micro, regional and macro level and comparisons were drawn with research already conducted. It was demonstrated that the process of diffusion could be useful in explaining the development of farm tourism. The thesis also revealed that the majority of farms become involved for social rather than financial motives. At the level of the farm it was found that farm tourism development can result in seasonal and sexual divisions of labour. It was also found that the advocacy of farm tourism as a solution for declining rural incomes is questionable