While you’re reading this, scores of foodies are visiting cheese factories in Wisconsin, picking lavender and peaches in Texas, and sampling wine in northern California.
They’re participating in what’s called agritourism, which lets tourists pick fruits and vegetables, ride horses, taste honey, learn about wine, and shop in gift shops and farm stands for local and regional produce or hand-crafted gifts.
In some states and countries, families can live on a farm for a week, pick their own food and even milk the cows in the morning. More sophisticated foodies can tour a particular region, talk with growers or vintners, then cook under the guidance of a professional chef.
Here in Wisconsin, you can go on a Cheese Tour, learn about cheese curing caves, then visit a chocolate and cheese house where you pair those two foods with wine. Then it’s off to a chalet for a lesson on how to prepare and taste fondue.
Agritourism creates a valuable revenue stream for farmers, ranchers and food producers. Some farms, for example, get together to form festivals, tours or other events.
If you’re participating in one of these tours as the host or the guest, pitch the story to travel and food writers, and even to business reporters. Collect some recipes along the way and offer them to your media contacts.
If I were in charge of the promotion for an agritourism event, I’d pay particular attention to the inflight magazines for airlines that serve the city were my event was occurring. Getting a calendar listing in one of these magazines could bring additional tourists who just happen to be in the area.
If you’re pitching inflight magazines but you’re not having much luck, try submitting a good-quality stand-alone photo with a caption.
“Special Report #27: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines” gives you dozens of tips for pitching these magazines, many with high circulations. It also includes contact information for 42 magazines. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/6uz9g
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