Agri-tourism as a Business

Anyone planning to start an agri-tourism venture should look at the venture as a BUSINESS. First ask yourself, what type of agri-tourism business do I want to operate? Will it be (1) to supplement cash flow (2) earn a profit or (3) provide educational fun and enjoyment to others without making a profit?

Let’s look at each option separately. (1) Providing supplemental cash flow during lean months can help agricultural owners meet the demand of payroll and keep competent workers year round. (2) Ventures expecting to make a profit must make sure that expenses are less than the income generated and that profits are sufficient to satisfy the supplemental income needs of the owner and still allow for reinvestment dollars to expand or upgrade the venture for continued growth. (3) Ventures that provide fun and enjoyment to others without the burden of making a profit still require capital to operate and must have cash flow to continue operation even though

their mission is not to make a profit. Few people have the dollars to operate entirely for free.

So, where do you begin?