A few months ago, as I approached Mbarara, I made an impulse decision to check out a farm Lodge located 13.6km along Ibanda road. On Trip Advisor, Emburara Farm Lodge says it is a high-end eco – luxury lodge that promotes cultural tourism and conservation of flora and fauna in a fresh, serene and relaxed farm environment; where one can experience, first hand, the life, culture, and norms around the stunning Ankole long-horned cattle. Emburara is the perfect place for either a family vacation or a romantic getaway, with a reasonable number of activities for both adults and kids.
As I sat in this tranquil environment, admiring the spectacular, undulating landscape & lush pastoral greenery, listening to the orchestra of various chirping birds & mooing cows, I wondered: will this kind of enterprise (luxury farm hotels) be a significant part of the travel trend of the future? From Acholi, Karamoja, Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, Ankole, Lango, Bugisu, Bukedi, Busoga, Karamoja, Kigezi, Madi, Sebei, Teso, West Nile, etc., Uganda boasts of a wonderful rural ethnographic heritage, with each of these areas having its distinctive farming, cultural and linguistic traditions. I started imagining exquisite properties tucked away, surrounded by mountains, lakes, picturesque landscapes, rolling grasslands, untouched nature, and interesting plantations, and my mind was convinced that therein lies an untapped business opportunity of providing luxury farm hotels for travelers who are seeking a unique rural retreat that enables them to immerse in the traditional lifestyles and tranquility of the Ugandan countryside, as part of their luxury holiday. Just as there are so many different places, the experiences to choose from would be endless.
Luxury farm hotels are a hybrid form of tourism where commercial services to tourists such as accommodation are combined with agricultural ones, to create unique travel experiences that provide guests with the chance not only to relax but also to learn about and connect with the neighboring farming culture, in addition to guests dining to their hearts’ content on fresh, high quality onsite grown food. Who wouldn’t want to be nestled somewhere, with their loved ones, slowing down and enjoying the more pleasant pace of life on a rural farm, riding a bicycle in the countryside, sitting by the bonfire at night, while being entertained to the traditional dance of the area, and being woken up, not by an alarm clock but by nature itself—all in an environment that is miles away from the constant humdrum of the city?
While some people would be fine to just curl up in a nice room with a scenic view and listen to the sounds of nature, others would want variety in their experiences. To encourage extended stays, some visitours would need a glimpse of how it is like to live in & around the area. Creating tour packages that include other activities beyond the farm would therefore be an additional adventure for the guests while also creating an added revenue stream for the farm hotel.
There is also a multiplier impact of farm tourism on the rural economy through purchase of locally produced food, arts and crafts, payments to groups of cultural entertainers etc. Luxury farm hotels may also be seen from the perspective of being a diversification strategy to protect farming incomes against market fluctuations. In effect, more money may be made from farm tourism than from traditional farming.
However, not everyone who has a farm can pull this off and not every farm can have a luxury hotel on it. Developing such requires diligent homework on several different fronts. It is capital intensive and a huge management challenge to surmount. Simply put, it is exhausting. It is therefore vital for anybody who is considering starting such a venture to conduct a thorough feasibility study to assess the practical and economic viability of the proposed enterprise.
But ultimately, when the allure of nature is combined with the simplicity of farm life, the result is the birth of a new type of business venture that brings a smile not only to the entrepreneur but also to travel customers through authentic experiential farmstay.
In providing an avenue for reconnection with, as well as sharing the eternal stories of our forefathers with visitours from far & wide, but without sparing any of the opulence expected on such a holiday, the monetary rewards can be significant. Many people are longing for places that enable them to embrace nature, far-away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It costs $65 to spend a night at Kluges Guest Farm, Fort Portal; $60 at BushBaby Lodge Mukono & $750 for a VVIP cottage at Emburara.
It is worth noting that it is key & advisable to always seek professional guidance before making any investment decision. This article is generic and not a substitute for such advice & I make no guarantee as to the results of the decisions you make based on it.
About the Guest Writer
Allan Atwiine is a lawyer, marketer and hotelier experienced at assisting underperforming hotels improve their growth and profitability, through adoption of a holistic profit maximisation model. Allan is also experienced in turning around non performing entertainment, leisure & hospitality facilities including restaurants, spa and wellness centres.
For comprehensive hotel & serviced apartment business consultation that guarantees results, based on the specific facts, and circumstances of your personal & financial situation, the writer can be reached on; allanatwiine@gmail.com
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