The poor farm economy is cheering up the Saskatchewan Country Vacation Association.
The farm income potential of a bed and breakfast business drew the most people the association has seen at one of its conventions, said executive director Dalelene Yelland. A third of the 62 in attendance Feb. 4-5 were non-members looking into the business, she added.
The association has almost 100 members and has been growing in recent years. Yelland said no one in rural Saskatchewan earns their entire income from a bed and breakfast, but it is reasonable to expect to fill a $60 room half of the year.
Locating close to major highways is no longer as important because the focus is now on pulling tourists off highways. This can be done by packaging accommodations with a golf course deal.
Most bed and breakfast customers are Canadian, but there are plans to promote agri-tourism weeks to Europeans and Asians, Yelland said.
