Thus, objectives of TreasureHunt are to: -train agriculture entrepreneurs on developing skills and competences to innovate their business by connecting agriculture and tourism -Enhance the possibility for young immigrants and female entrepreneurs to get involved in agrotourism -promote innovation capacity in the agriculture sector as a whole thanks to the link with another relevant sector for EU economy, Tourism -Make agro tourism an attractive business for young entrepreneurs in combination with other land based businesses -Increase the interest for language learning among potential rural entrepreneurs by using interdisciplinary teaching methods, thus learning English and vocational skills in the same time -to build a strong network for the exchange of good practices in agritourism
In the past years, the global COVID-19 pandemic and the growing need for sustainable living have highlighted agritourism as a viable alternative to mass tourism. In Sweden, the National Board of Schools (Skolverket) introduced an option for upper secondary schools to offer programs in agritourism or nature tourism. Stora Segerstad Naturbrukscentrum planned to launch such a program in 2022 and sought to leverage experiences from other European regions. The economic crises of recent years, coupled with rising unemployment rates across the EU, have compelled young people to explore alternative labor market solutions. Another significant challenge in contemporary Europe is the depopulation of remote rural areas. To address this, it is essential to enhance the appeal of these regions and develop innovative business ideas that capitalize on local resources—ordinary to residents but treasures to visitors. This "TREASUREHUNT in your neighbor's backyard" concept has the potential to extend benefitsTherefore, there is a clear need for practical, educationally and entrepreneurially focused curricula that emphasize the opportunities within rural regions beyond the farm gate, fostering positive interactions between farmers and non-farmers.