Rural tourism
 |
This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. Please help clarify the article; suggestions may be found on the talk page. (January 2009) |
Rural tourism focuses on participating in a rural lifestyle. It can be a variant of ecotourism. Any village can be a tourist attraction, and many villagers are very hospitable. Agriculture is becoming highly mechanized and therefore requires less manual labor. This is causing economic pressure on some villages, leading to an exodus of young people to urban areas.
Contents |
[edit] Benefits
Rural tourism allows the creation of an alternative source of income in the non-agricultural sector for rural dwellers.[citation needed] The added income from rural tourism can contribute to the revival of lost folk art and handicrafts. It is an ideal and natural method of rural and urban economic exchange.
[edit] Relevance in developing nations
Rural tourism is particularly relevant in developing nations wherein farmland has become fragmented due to population growth.
[edit] Relevance in developed nations
Rural tourism exists in developed nations in the form of providing accommodation in a scenic location ideal for rest and relaxation.
[edit] United States: niche tourism in rural areas
Many niche tourism programs are located in rural areas. From wine tours and eco-tourism, to agritourism and seasonal events, tourism can be a viable economic component in rural community development. According the USDA, Cooperative State, Education and Extension Service, "Tourism is becoming increasingly important to the U.S. economy. A conservative estimate from the Federal Reserve Board in Kansas, based on 2000 data, shows that basic travel and tourism industries accounted for 3.6 percent of all U.S. employment. Even more telling, data from the Travel Industry Association of America indicate that 1 out of every 18 people in the U.S. has a job directly resulting from travel expenditures."[1][2][3]
The publication Promoting Tourism in Rural America[4] explains the need for planning and marketing rural community and to weigh the pros and cons of the impacts of tourism. Local citizen participation is helpful and should be included in starting any kind of a tourism program. Being prepared by planning tourism can assist in a successful program that enhances the community.
[edit] References
- ^ [1] “Rural Tourism” (February 2008). USDA Cooperative State, Education and Extension Service. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
- ^ [2] Wilkerson, Chad (2003). "Travel and Tourism: An Overlooked Industry in the U.S. and Tenth District." Economic Review, Third Quarter 2003. Federal Reserve Board in Kansas. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
- ^ [3] "Economic Research: Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism." (2004). Travel Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
- ^ [4] John, Patricia LaCaille (2008). Promoting Tourism in Rural America. National Agricultural Library, Rural Information Center. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
- "Why rural tourism is no picnic?". BBC. October 11, 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3683742.stm. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- "Small and Home based Business". csrees. October 8, 2007. http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/economics/in_focus/small_business_if_tourism.html. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
[edit] External links
- Portal of rural tourism for whole southeastern Europe
- "Rural Tourism Resources." (September 22, 2008). National Agricultural Library, Rural Information Center. Retrieved December 30, 2008
- Travel Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
