Ontario agritourism study highlights $633M economic impact

Agritourism Ontario has released a new economic growth study examining the province’s agritourism industry. Fields of Opportunity, the first comprehensive analysis of Ontario’s agritourism sector, highlights its growing economic and cultural importance.

Why it matters: Agritourism in Ontario generates $633 million in annual economic output, making it one of the most important contributors to the province’s rural economy.

“Agritourism plays an important role in strengthening our province by connecting people to food and farming while providing operators with exciting ways to grow their businesses,” Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Trevor Jones said. “Our government is proud to support Agritourism Ontario’s economic growth study, which delivers a practical roadmap for continued growth and long-term sustainability of the sector.”

The study provides an in-depth look at the economic contributions of agritourism businesses and outlines a clear path forward to support sustainable growth for operators, rural communities and municipalities.

Among the findings was a rise in new farmers operating in the agritourism space. The report found 19 per cent are new farmers, 33 per cent represent next-generation or family farms and 40 per cent are established farmers.

With more than 319 acres of farmland lost to non-agricultural uses each week, the report also highlights agritourism’s role in helping preserve farm culture and keep land in production.

“We are excited about the completion of this important work. It not only establishes where the agritourism sector is today but also provides a path forward for growth, including opportunities and challenges,” said Agritourism Ontario board chair Melinda McArthur.

The report also provides a clearer picture of agritourism’s economic footprint. It found the sector generates $313 million in GDP annually and supports more than 8,700 jobs. Additionally, agritourism contributes $83.5 million in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenues.

“This study confirms what our members have long known: agritourism is not just a value-added activity for farms, it is a cornerstone of rural economic development,” said Kevin Vallier. “For the first time, we have clear, data-driven evidence that demonstrates the scale and importance of this sector to both provincial and municipal economies.”

The study outlines several recommendations to support continued growth and long-term sustainability of the sector, including:

• Reducing regulatory barriers for on-farm diversified uses
• Enhancing collaboration between municipalities and operators
• Expanding marketing and tourism partnerships
• Supporting training, risk management and business development
• Investing in infrastructure to accommodate visitor growth

Pointing to zoning, permitting and regulatory barriers as ongoing industry challenges, the report calls for coordinated action from provincial and municipal governments to further unlock the economic potential of agritourism. The goal is to draw visitors beyond major urban centres and distribute tourism spending more evenly across the province.

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