Agritourism Ontario (AO) is launching an economic growth study for Ontario’s agritourism sector. This project aims to understand the sector’s economic impact and chart a course for growth by identifying opportunities and challenges for Ontario’s vibrant agritourism industry. This project is bringing together experts in the field of agriculture, rural economic development, and economic analysis. 

The research will be conducted by Wilton Consulting Group in partnership with MNP.

“This project comes at a time when people are looking to support local more than ever,” said Darlene Downey, chair, Agritourism Ontario board of directors. “This important work will enable Agritourism Ontario to hear directly from farmers and the tourism industry to help us continue to grow and showcase how farms that offer agritourism are contributing to our local economy and a path forward for the next several years.” 

With a focus on engaging farmers who provide agritourism, the tourism sector, and agritourism visitors, the research will involve an industry-wide farmer survey, one-on-one interviews with key industry representatives, and research on sector challenges and opportunities. The findings will contribute to the understanding of Ontario’s agritourism sector as an important economic asset, and opportunities to support farm business development and ultimately, ensure Ontarians can enjoy Ontario food, products, and experiences for years to come. 

The project launched in February and will continue through December 2025. Updates and findings will be shared through Agritourism Ontario’s network. 

For more information about this initiative, please subscribe to Agritourism Ontario’s newsletter at https://agritourismontario.com/contact/ or contact info@agritourismontario.com.

Source:  Agritourism Ontario April 7, 2025 news release