More and more tourists are choosing to take their holidays on Italian farms and over half a million have made reservations for July at Italy's more than 16,000 guest farms, the Coldiretti farmers' union said.
Should this trend continue, Coldiretti added, the sector will see a 10% jump in turnover for 2007 and for the first time break the one-billion-euro threshold.
According to a Coldiretti study, 55% of farm tourists are between the ages of 18 and 35, while foreigners represent 25% of the total.
The average duration of a stay at a guest farm is three to four days.
Traditional activities include horseback riding, archery and excursions to discover rural artistic and historic treasures.
This year there has been an increase in opportunities to engage in birdwatching and explore national parks.
Almost half of Italy's guest farms allows tourists to bring their pets.
Coldiretti found that 45.7% of Italy's guest farms are located in the north, 35% in central Italy and the remaining 19.3% in the south.
Over half of these farms, 50.6%, are located in the hills, 35.8% in the mountains and only 13.6% on the plains.
