WHAT IT IS?
Opa’s Farm, located just 15 minutes from the Baltic Sea in Neuenhagen (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany), is a traditional agricultural and gardening retreat brought back to life by the Genzer family. Covering over 43 hectares of farmland, gardens, and meadows, the farm grows vegetables, cereals, and fruit, raises cows, pigs, poultry, and bees .It welcomes visitors through the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) network.
This is not just a place to stay it’s a place to live, learn, and reconnect. Guests and volunteers work alongside locals, milk cows, bake bread, plant vegetables, and even make their own juice and cheese. It’s an authentic slice of rural life “like in the old days,” adapted for the eco-conscious traveler of today.
WHY IT´S COOL?
- Hands-on sustainability: Gen Z wants to understand where things come from. According to Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report, 83% of Gen Z travelers say they prefer accommodation that teaches them how to live more sustainably. At Opa’s Farm, they don’t just read about sustainability,but also to practice it daily.
- Offline is the new luxury: Far from the noise of social media, visitors exchange Wi-Fi for wildflowers and screen time for sunshine. Studies show that 68% of Gen Z travelers are actively seeking digital detox experiences during vacations.
- Collaboration over consumption: Gen Z values community and shared purpose. Here, guests work together with the host family, locals, and other young travelers, embodying the “don’t be boring, collaborate” rule of the new generation.
- Authentic storytelling moments: From baking fresh bread to making honey with the farm’s 12 beehives, every task becomes a story worth sharing not just for likes, but for meaning.
WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
Agrotourism is one of the fastest growing segments of sustainable travel, projected to grow by over 20% annually in Europe (UNWTO, 2023). Generation Z is the driving force behind this evolution.Why? Because they want travel that feels real, responsible, and relevant.
- 76% of Gen Z travelers believe that their choices can make a positive impact on the planet.
- 69% would rather spend money on unique experiences than on luxury brands.
- 72% prefer stays that allow interaction with locals and learning opportunities.
Opa’s Farm fits perfectly into this mindset: it’s eco-friendly, community-driven, and rich in purpose. It allows Gen Z travelers to live sustainably, learn useful skills, and connect emotionally with people and nature.This is not just a farm it’s a new model of hospitality where values grow alongside vegetables.
Thaleia Bamiha
Science of the Time
George Stefan Poponet
Sofia Flores Abrantes Prado
Sheima El Boutaybi
Gourav Makam
Camilla ALTIERI
Dinara K
Eva Jannat
Diana Eid Dibos
Milana Moldovanov