The Agritourism Homeland – Agritourism has a long tradition in South Tyrol, in the Italian Alps. As early as in the 19th century, wealthy citizens from Bolzano and Merano spent their holidays in the surrounding mountain villages. Today, approximately 2,800 of a total of 20,000 farms also offer tourist services, representing a significant density with respect to other regions in the world. From mountain farms with livestock to fruit growing farms and wineries, the region boasts a comprehensive and high-quality selection of tourism offers. In this way, rural tradition and culture can be experienced in some of the most beautiful places in the country.

Agritourism is an important supplementary income for the farmers, which can contribute to the sustainable development of South Tyrol’s small-structured agriculture. The regional brand “Roter Hahn” supports the farmers in the marketing of their tourist offer a successful model which has attracted the interest of delegations from all over the world since 1999. Sustainability is also a central issue of Eurac Research. With a multidisciplinary approach, scientists address regional issues and develop solutions which can then be applied elsewhere in the world. The researchers at the Institute for Regional Development study and promote sustainable development strategies for mountain areas as an economic region, living space and adventure area.