Tourism Law in Europe

7 activities in rural areas, multifunctionality in agriculture and the differentiation of agricultural sources of income, initiatives to protect the soil, the territory and the environment, as well as agricultural and forestry development; c) restore the rural building heritage while protecting the landscape; d) support and encourage typical quality produce and food and wine traditions; and e) promote rural culture and food education. Under Law no. 96 of 20 February 2006, “holiday farms” refer to the reception and hospitality activities carried out by individual or associated farmers, including in corporate form, through the use of their own farm in connection with agricultural activities. Accroding to article 2135 of the Italian Civil Code, an agricultural entrepreneur is anyone who cultivates the land, carries out forestry, livestock farming and linked activities. The holiday farming activities allowed and supported by the law include:  providing accommodation in lodgings or open spaces for campers;  providing meals and beverages consisting mainly of their own products or from local farms, with preference given to typical products and traditional food products;  organising tastings of farm produce, including wine tasting; and  organising recreational, cultural, educational, sporting, hiking and horse-riding activities to promote the area and its rural heritage. Moreover, holiday farming also includes the activities carried out by fishermen with regard to hospitality, the serving of meals consisting mainly of products deriving from fishing, as well as linked activities, including fishing tourism. Among other things, the Regions are responsible for setting the criteria, restrictions and administrative obligations to carry out the activity, defining the principles to ensure the connection between holiday farming and the actual agricultural activities, which must remain prevalent, with particular reference to the working time required to carry them out, and regulating the procedures for issuing the license to carry out holiday farming activities.