Diversifying Coffee Farms through Virtual Tourism: Dealing with COVID

Dr. Thomlinson used Research for Professional Development funds to determine how coffee farmers in developing countries can diversify their revenue and reduce their dependence on coffee growing.

During times of crisis, such as with COVID-19, the tourism and hospitality industry is often one of the first to be negatively impacted. Those who rely on the industry for their economic well-being need multiple sources of income to survive. This research looks at ways of supplementing the income of coffee farmers in Guatemala who rely on tourist visits to their plantations to complement the money they receive for their produce. The work will explore the development of virtual visits to these plantations to raise some funds while potentially increasing loyalty for their coffee.