&noscript=1 /> The success story of the Roter Hahn brand
 
The success story of the 'Roter Hahn' brand
The success story of the 'Roter Hahn' brand

SUCCESS STORY

Milestones

Roter Hahn milestones

The Roter Hahn brand was launched in 1998. However, the history of farm holidays in South Tyrol began much earlier.

1850

Farm holidays were born in South Tyrol

Farm holidays in South Tyrol have been around since 1850 - extremely early compared to other destinations, where the trend only began after the Second World War. This is because of the climatic conditions: Bolzano is the hottest city in Italy in summer. In order to escape the heat in the valley, the well-to-do residents felt that escaping upwards was the obvious choice and they fled to the mountain villages in the area for their summer holidays. Between June and September they lived for one to three months on a farm in higher mountainous areas. Travelling to the sea was not possible at the time due to restricted mobility.

The history of farm holidays in South Tyrol - Paten Farm, Seis/Kastelruth

1960s

Holidaymakers from Germany for the first time

Up until the 1960s, that is, for more than 100 years, farm holidays in South Tyrol were a classic holiday option for the locals - especially for the middle class of Meran, Bolzano and Brixen. After 1960, guests came from Munich (Bavaria) for the first time, thanks to the increasing prosperity of the post-war generation and the completion of the Europa Bridge (1963). Among other things, due to political tensions (the 'bombing years') at this time, holidaymakers from the rest of Italy did not play a role. The South Tyroleans, on the other hand, began to discover holidays on the Adriatic.

1971

First holiday catalogue

The first 'Farm Holidays' catalogue was published in 1971, listing 236 farms throughout South Tyrol. Interesting detail: at that time, the information on each farm was mainly focused on how to reach the farm and on access to water on the farm.

First holiday catalogue for farm holidays in South Tyrol

1980s

First holidaymakers from the rest of Italy

Since the beginning of farm holidays, the farming families in South Tyrol have mainly welcomed guests from Southern Germany. Now for the first time holidaymakers are arriving from the rest of Italy.

1990s

Farm holidays in winter

Since the 1990s, the offer of farm holidays was extended to winter for the first time - but only for houses that had a heating system.

1998

The founding of 'Roter Hahn'

In 1998, the 'Roter Hahn' quality seal was created by the Südtiroler Bauernbund.
 

Reasons:

  • Although tourism in South Tyrol was already booming at this time, there was no lobby for farm holidays to represent the interests of farming families. Consequently, guest take up and prices were very low at the time.
  • The Südtiroler Bauernbund has recognised that more and more farmers are dependent on an additional income on the farm. Since many farms can no longer make a living from farming alone, 'farm holidays', in many cases, ensure continued farming, including the production of high-quality food and the maintenance of the cultural landscape.
    In the first year (1999), farm holidays recorded 15,067 beds, 108,535 arrivals and 797,688 overnight stays.

1998

First Roter Hahn catalogue

In 1998 the first Roter Hahn catalogue was produced, in which almost 740 farms from all over South Tyrol were listed. The catalogue was produced in German and Italian.

First 'Roter Hahn' brand holiday catalogue

1999

Roter Hahn is crowing on the internet

In 1999 there was the first website and since 2000 www.roterhahn.it has been active.

Today the website is available in six languages.

2002

Introduction of the specializations

2002 marked the start of the specialised farms. The aim is to utilise South Tyrol's special features and to create an experience that is perfectly tailored to the holiday wishes of the guests. Some specializations, such as the high-altitude or historical farm, only exist in South Tyrol. In 2002, 'Roter Hahn' won the first marketing prize of the former Südtirol Marketing Gesellschaft (SMG) for the introduction of the specializations.

2003

Two new product lines

In 2003, 'Roter Hahn' became the umbrella brand  for 'farm holidays in South Tyrol' with two additional pillars. Added to this were 'Quality farm products' and 'Farm taverns'. All farms must first undergo an inspection by the Südtiroler Bauernbund and satisfy the high quality standards. During this time, the guiding principle 'We bring people closer to a piece of the rural South Tyrolean way of life' was also created, which still unites all the pillars today. The characteristic features were defined as realness, authenticity, honesty, sustainability and small structures. Up to this point, there were no specified criteria, but they were coming more and more into focus.

2005

Classification of the holiday farms

The classification of the holiday farms was introduced by two independent experts. A separate catalogue of criteria with a total of 96 criteria for evaluating the quality of the farm, facilities and services was drawn up. Based on this catalogue of criteria, the farms are classified with between 1 and 4 flowers. In addition, Roter Hahn introduced the farm folder, in which the farming family introduces themselves and their farm, as well as what's on offer on and around the farm.

Classification of the holiday farms in South Tyrol

2012

Introduction of farm ratings

Since the introduction of farm ratings, every holiday farm can be rated on www.roterhahn.it.


Therefore the presentation of the farm has three elements:

  • How the farmer sees himself (Internet, catalogue, etc.)
  • How an independent assessor sees the farm (classification by independent specialists)
  • How the guest sees the farm

2013

4th pillar farm handicrafts

In 2013, the 'Roter Hahn' brand integrated the fourth product line, 'farm handicrafts'. In this way, another piece of rural culture is preserved and developed further in the long term.

2015

Revision of the classification and introduction of the 5th flower

With the introduction of the 5th flower, the standard of all holiday farms has been raised significantly. When the classification was revised, specific criteria were defined for the 4 and 5 flower farms.
 

Criteria 4 flowers:

  • A sales corner or a farm shop with at least three farm products or a year-round breakfast with at least 4 farm products.
  • One family member must be on the farm all day.


Criteria 5 flowers:

  • Sales corner or farm shop with at least four farm-made products
    AND year-round breakfast with at least six farm-made products.
  • Bedrooms must have wooden floors.
  • Weekly possibility to experience the life and work of the farmer.
  • One family member must be on the farm all day.

2021

1 flower farms no longer part of the brand

In order to meet the increasing quality demands, it was decided from this point on to only include farms with 2 - 5 flowers under the 'Roter Hahn' brand.

Roter Hahn

Seal of quality

Roter Hahn stands for…

Farm Holidays

Over 1,600 holiday farms with cosy accommodation await you

Farm search
Farm Holidays
Farm Holidays
Quality farm products

86 producers provide you with over 800 farm delicacies

Quality products
Quality farm products
Quality farm products
Farmhouse inns

21 farmhouse inns spoil you with delicious dishes

Farmhouse inns
Farmhouse inns
Farmhouse inns
Farm handcrafts

5 handworkers to impress you with their unique items

Farm handcrafts
Farm Handcrafts
Farm Handcrafts
'Roter Hahn' cookery school

Get to know South Tyrolean farm cooking at 50 different cooking events.

Cookery school
'Roter Hahn' cookery school
Cooking events at South Tyrol's farm cookery school