The Agriturist, National Association for Country houses, Environment and Territory, first Italian country houses association, promoted by the “Confagricoltura” (Agriculture confederation), coordinates and sustains the development of the country houses since 1965.

The word “country house” is born together with the name of the Association, and the constituting members of the time (in particular the “founding president” Simone Velluti Zati) have been the promoters of the phenomenon taking their inspiration above all from the French and British experiences. Since 1998, the president of Agriturist is Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, vine producer, but also manager of country house, in Franciacorta. The Agriturist has given an essential contribution to the issuing the state framework law actually regulating the country house (Law 5 December 1985, n. 730) and of the regional laws issuing the specific norms. Since 1987, through the decree of the Minister of the Environment, it is a recognised environmental association.

Now it associates some 5.000 farm firms developing or intending to develop a country house activity, helping them under the legal, organisational and promotional profile. An information system “on-line” diffusing in real time news and updates on the main aspects of the country house management. The most important promotion channels are: the National Guide, the Guide for abroad (selection in tree languages of the previous one), “Landurlaub in Italien” guide in German, the Internet site www.agriturist.it, and the promotion agency “Farm Holidays”. Other promotional initiatives are launched according to specific projects.

The Agriturist associates also 12.000 persons passionate for country house, to whom are distributed the National Guide and the bi-monthly magazine “Agrituristi”. From these “members” the Association systematically receives judgements on the quality of the firms visited, having in such a way precious information to improve the offer.

Agriturist National: http://www.agriturist.it/