Perspectives
On Nature Tourism & Farm Holidays
Remember shows like "Bullerbü," "Michel aus Lönneberga," "Alstertal," or "Süderhof"? These series have been flickering across our screens since the 1960s and 90s. Farm holidays—what could be better as kids? And let's be honest, the idea of waking up to a rooster's crow and gazing over golden rapeseed fields at sunrise still holds a certain charm.
Longing for Rural Life and Nature
The concept of "farm holidays" is somewhat of a 90s phenomenon: a special quality label was even developed for the most popular holiday farms, which continues to be awarded today. Many farms converted to tourism in the 90s, and although the trend waned with the rise of all-inclusive offers and hotel complexes in the 2000s, this form of vacation has seen a resurgence recently. Today, we refer to it as agrotourism or nature tourism. According to the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture, approximately 10.12 million people in 2023 preferred farm or countryside holidays, a 13.3% increase compared to 2020.
What does all this have to do with Raus? The desire for rural life, peace, nature, and a sense of freedom without having to fly anywhere—these are the needs and wishes for a modern model of nature tourism that our guests have shared with us almost daily since we launched our first cabin in 2021. From the beginning, our goal has been to bridge the gap between city and country and support farmers in transitioning to a gentle travel model without having to overhaul their entire farm or construct new buildings. This is often associated with high investment costs before a new source of income can be tapped years later. As confirmed by the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture, agrotourism creates jobs and is a crucial economic sector in many regions. The German Farmers' Association estimates the annual gross revenue from agrotourism demand to be around 900 million euros.
Supporting Local Partners
Just like the original idea behind farm holidays, our concept at Raus today is designed to be in harmony with the environment. Mindfulness encompasses not only mental health and balance in everyday life but also an understanding of nature and finite resources. Thanks to our dedicated partners—more than 30 land and forestry farmers who operate our cabins with us—we offer a behind-the-scenes look: What does agriculture look like in 2024? What is permaculture, and how does community-supported agriculture work? How much work goes into running a farm shop, and when is which grain harvested? Our hosts make their farms, meadows, fields, and gardens accessible to others, sharing values, products, and nature with our guests. Our vision is to inspire people and show them how enriching rural life can be while also supporting the environment and local communities.
Whether it's a farm visit, a walk through a herb garden, or a delicious breakfast made with farm-fresh ingredients, supporting local traditions is as important to us as it is to our farming partners. For your modern "farm holiday," this means you'll find breakfast baskets or meal kits freshly prepared and waiting for you upon arrival at your cabin.
For those who occasionally prefer four-legged friends to two-legged ones, our partners offer a range of experiences, such as alpaca walks, farm tours, or simply a visit to the pasture with various fluffy neighbors. There have even been instances where curious chickens have wandered into our cabins or the farm dog has settled in the shade of a patio umbrella. One guest couple even adopted two kittens! These are the moments when we feel we've truly brought city and country a bit closer together. But perhaps all it takes for you is the sight of golden rapeseed fields and the sound of a rooster crowing in the morning to know that the pace of life around you has changed to farm time.
