roses vs realism

I was involved in discussions last week about the kinds of things that people look for when they visit the countryside. Once you start to think about it, you realise that the countryside means so many different things to so many different people.

One of the points raised, was about the gap that often exists between visitor perceptions, or preconceptions of the countryside - and what it actually is. (and the tendency of certain tourist businesses, to perpetuate and commercially exploit this myth)

But on reflection, does it really matter?

Let's take the example of 'fun farms' with their fluffy, all year round baby animals, or 'country fayres' with their pots of frilly topped jam, and funny shaped vegetables. They offer an undeniably cosy picture, far removed from the reality of rural daily life - but people often come to the countryside to escape 'daily life'.

If these stereotype images and experiences encourage further interest in all things 'country' and a willingness to return, maybe to experience something different next time - then they have served an equally useful purpose for the purists as well as the surface scratchers.

Rural tourism is a broad spectrum. Take a step back to consider the concept - it is not unlike its rainbow cousin, where each colour is enhanced and enriched in the eye of the beholder, by the neighbouring colours on either side.

For those of us living and working around rural tourism, whether it be food, accommodation, or attractions, the message is clear:

We all need visitors, to thrive and prosper, and there is room for us all. If we as businesses and providers, worked together a bit better than we do, then we could maybe offer a more 'complete' countryside experience for our visitors. If we spent more time on listening than advertising, we would make a better job of giving our visitors what they want, rather than what we think they should have - and if the end result achieved greater customer satisfaction, that can only be a good thing for all concerned.

Because ultimately a thriving rural economy will benefit the countryside that we all want to keep - whether we live and work there or choose to spend our valuable leisure time there.

See how you can enjoy a stay in the country on www.dovefarm.co.uk