Special Interests - Rural Tourism

Every geographical region available for rural tourism has different characteristics and options depending on the natural environment, with varied climates and sceneries, from the hot subtropical north - with or without a dry season - passing by the mild center, to the cold south. Thus, tourists are offered a wide variety of recreational activities according to the size, architecture, services, culinary specialties, rural culture and characteristics of each rural establishment.

Tourists have different activities to do; they can go fishing, hunting, horseback riding, trekking, flora and fauna watching and also visit museums. Furthermore, they can partake in typically rural duties such as: cattle driving, cows' milking, sheep shearing, and cattle branding, or attend a taming session by gauchos, or even enjoy an exciting polo or pato (the Argentinean national sport) game, and some folklore music and dances. Rural museums constitute another interesting option and a source of information about the local towns' production and family history.

"The Gaucho is invariably obliging, polite and hospitable. He is modest, both respecting himself and country, at the same time being a spirited, bold fellow". Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle, 1836.

Throughout the country, many golf courses can be found in the vicinity of over 50 rural estates (a twenty-minute drive), which thus offer their guest the possibility to practice this sport.

In short, tourists become guests who share with the rural family the different and typical Argentinean rural tasks.

JOINT EFFORT

Pursuant to the Rural Tourism Program, the Secretaría de Turismo y Deporte (National Bureau of Tourism and Sports) and the Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimentación (Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Food) have joined their efforts for the first time in order to promote the activity and diversify the earnings of farmers and travel agents. Thus, the whole of the potential uses of the soil are included within agribusiness, even the commercialization of tourist services based on nature and culture.

Vast regions in Argentina are devoted to farming since this is a significant activity in the economic structure of the country. This activity is carried out in different kinds of establishments, bearing different sizes and categories, which receive diverse denominations according to their characteristics; namely: estancias, campos (fields), chacras (small farms) and granjas (farms). There are about 800 farming establishments in Argentina devoted to rural tourism, many of which are more than 200 years old.

Some of the so-called cascos (main farmhouse) are gorgeous, comfortable and luxuriously equipped mansions boasting an English, French or Italian colonial architectonic style. The rural family is in charge of welcoming visitors and meeting their needs.

Most of these establishments are located in Buenos Aires province and Patagonia, though there are some others scattered throughout the country, to which tourists may also have access. The extension of these production units may vary from over 100,000-hectare fields to one-hectare micro ventures, such as farms and orchards or vegetable and fruit gardens, all scattered throughout the 3,761,274 sq. km. of Argentinean soil from north to south, and from west to east.