Virtual Library

The Eko Bajka organic farm lies on over 110 hectares of land in the Sudety region in Poland. The farm produces quality organic products like fruits and vegetables, and breeds chickens, horses and cows. What sets the farm apart is the provision of a guesthouse deep in the countryside. Seven houses and one apartment are rented by the family to local and international tourists looking to spend some quality time in the Polish mountains. Together, these 64 m2 houses can accommodate eight four-person families.

Guests come here to breathe clean air, go hiking in the peaceful surroundings or enjoy the playroom and playground. Yet for both children and adults entertainment is woven into education, as they get to know about the animals of the farm, the practice of organic agriculture and a healthy lifestyle.

Eko Bajka embodies its long-held "Clean Tourism" certification. In 2017 it was nominated the 2nd best organic farm in Poland and in 2018 achieved the highest category in the ‘Rural Accommodation Base’ rating system.

The warm welcome offered in the family business helps tourists feel at home in Eko Bajka. The farm is located in a perfect landscape, in the middle of the Polish mountains. Sensitive to the social impact of the farm, Eko Bajka offers balanced prices with different houses to fit everybody’s needs and budget.

The farm attracts its clients mainly through its webpage, and through its participation in local fairs and meetings. In the beginning, Eko Bajka attracted a lot of clients interested in organic agriculture coming from the Netherlands, but when tourism started to develop in Poland, the  significantly and they represent the majority of the customers nowadays.

Eko Bajka has suffered from financial problems linked to hyperinflation in the past, but sound financial management enabled them to make comfortable profits no more than 15 years after the launch of their business. More recently, they also started noticing the impacts of climate change on their farming activities, and this might become a risk for their production in the future.

The family business was created using only private savings, since banks did not offer interesting loan opportunities. The guesthouses were built one by one, by the owners themselves, extending the business on a progressive basis. Owners followed the same principle to diversify their farming activities. These activities enable them to benefit from public subsidies related to the Common Agricultural Policy.

Eko Bajka is a family business created for families. By crossing ecotourism with organic farming, they champion the ideas of environmental protection and sustainable rural development. Educational activities offered on-site are also a good way for both children and adults to learn more about organic agriculture. In the near future, these activities are likely to create new jobs in the neighbouring rural areas, which benefit from the economic activity and good practices of Eko Bajka.

The choice of the location and activities offered on-site are crucial to the success of ecotourism businesses like Eko Bajka. The hospitality offered to clients is very important in countryside guesthouses. As a small-size family business, Eko Bajka is able to make its guests feel welcome and comfortable, and it represents a real added value on the market. The farm’s engagement with local activities is also well perceived by clients.