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Agriculture
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Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development
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Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2025) | Viewed by 12441

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xosé Antón Armesto-López

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Guest Editor
Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: rural geography; regional geography; post-productivism agriculture; food, environment and development; gastronomy; landscape’s perception
Dr. Martí Cors-Iglesias

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: rural geography; regional geography; rural tourism; heritage; agritourism
Dr. M. Belén Gómez Martín

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, C/Montalegre, 6, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: geography; tourism; environmental global change; rural areas; regional geography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the countries of the global North, the rural world has ceased to be a set of spaces predominantly utilized for production and has become an area in which traditional production processes are combined with increasingly significant consumer trends. As a result of these new demands, a set of activities that exemplify the syncretism of both approaches has appeared, particularly since the mid-1950s; this can be defined by the term agritourism.

This SI seeks contributions that consider agrotourism as a tool in the development of rural areas. Works from different disciplines (Geography, History, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, etc.) that converge in this transversal and integrative subject are welcome.

Among other possibilities, this SI seeks contributions on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

  • the impact of tourist accommodation on the income of the agricultural farms involved;
  • new business approaches that include agritourism activities in companies and cooperatives;
  • the territorial significance of agritourism in a broad sense (fairs, markets, museums, etc.);
  • the territorial and business brand images worked on by the sector;
  • the environmental challenges and uncertainties that are associated with agritourism in a scenario of global change.

Articles that present general reflections on this set of activities, as well as case study analyses, will be considered in this SI.

Dr. Xosé Antón Armesto-López
Dr. Martí Cors-Iglesias
Dr. M. Belén Gómez Martín
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • farming tourism
  • rural branding
  • rural complementarity
  • local products
  • ecological footprint

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 7143 KiB  
Article
Study on the Coupling Coordination Relationship Between Rural Tourism and Agricultural Green Development Level: A Case Study of Jiangxi Province
by Fenghua Liu, Liguo Wang, Jiangtao Gao and Yiming Liu
Agriculture 2025, 15(8), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15080874 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Against the background of global climate change, agricultural ecosystems face extreme weather, resource shortages, and carbon emission pressures, necessitating green transitions. Rural tourism, a key driver of rural revitalization, injects momentum into green agriculture through ecological resource monetization, low-carbon technology adoption, and industrial [...] Read more.
Against the background of global climate change, agricultural ecosystems face extreme weather, resource shortages, and carbon emission pressures, necessitating green transitions. Rural tourism, a key driver of rural revitalization, injects momentum into green agriculture through ecological resource monetization, low-carbon technology adoption, and industrial restructuring. This study evaluates rural tourism and agricultural green development levels in Jiangxi Province (2008–2022) using the entropy weight method and explores their spatiotemporal coordination via a coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The study reveals the following: (1) Rural tourism and agricultural green development in Jiangxi Province demonstrate an upward trend overall, though with significant regional disparities. Regions such as Nanchang and Jiujiang exhibit higher coordination levels, while areas like Pingxiang and Xinyu persistently cluster in low-value agglomerations. (2) The coupling coordination degree transitions from “marginal imbalance” to “intermediate coordination”, with Nanchang City achieving “good coordination” status in 2022, forming a high-value radiation zone encompassing Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Yichun. Low-value regions remain constrained by inadequate resource exploitation and technological lag. (3) Global spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals significant positive agglomeration effects (Moran’s I values range from 0.148 to 0.312). Local spatial associations show coexisting patterns of ‘high-high’ synergy and ‘low-low’ lock-in”. The study proposes targeted policy interventions, industrial convergence enhancement, and regional coordination mechanism optimization to mitigate spatial disparities and foster high-quality synergetic development. This study establishes theoretical foundations for agricultural green transition integrated with rural tourism development while offering referential pathways for analogous regions confronting climate change challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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22 pages, 1916 KiB  
Article
Agritourism and Rural Development: A Global Bibliometric Analysis of the State of Research, Limitations, and Future Directions
by Abdi Shukri Yasin and Zsuzsanna Bacsi
Agriculture 2025, 15(8), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15080866 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 922
Abstract
Agritourism has emerged as a strategic tool for fostering sustainable rural development by diversifying farm income, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting environmental stewardship. This study presents a global bibliometric analysis of research on agritourism and rural development, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview [...] Read more.
Agritourism has emerged as a strategic tool for fostering sustainable rural development by diversifying farm income, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting environmental stewardship. This study presents a global bibliometric analysis of research on agritourism and rural development, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the field, identify key trends, and highlight future research directions. Utilizing the Web of Science database, 171 relevant publications from 2004 to 2024 were analyzed through bibliometric techniques, focusing on publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, and co-citation analysis. Findings indicate a growing academic interest in agritourism, with sustainability as a dominant theme. The study identifies five thematic clusters: economic contributions, policy frameworks, tourist motivations, environmental sustainability, and agritourism’s broader role in landscape conservation. Co-citation analysis highlights the intellectual evolution from foundational perspectives on rural tourism to complex discussions on sustainability and innovation. Despite these advancements, knowledge gaps persist, particularly in geographic representation, digital innovation, climate change mitigation, and policy governance. Addressing these gaps will enhance academic discourse and provide practical insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and rural communities. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to navigate the expanding literature on agritourism and rural development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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22 pages, 1265 KiB  
Article
Intersectoral Linking of Agriculture, Hospitality, and Tourism—A Model for Implementation in AP Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia)
by Maja Paunić, Bojana Kalenjuk Pivarski, Dragan Tešanović, Velibor Ivanović, Vesna Vujasinović, Snježana Gagić Jaraković, Gordana Vulić and Miloš Ćirić
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060604 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 695
Abstract
This study explores the establishment of intersectoral linkages between agriculture, hospitality, and tourism in the microregion of AP Vojvodina, Serbia, with a focus on developing a model that identifies the key factors for its effective implementation. For research purposes, the Delphi method, pilot [...] Read more.
This study explores the establishment of intersectoral linkages between agriculture, hospitality, and tourism in the microregion of AP Vojvodina, Serbia, with a focus on developing a model that identifies the key factors for its effective implementation. For research purposes, the Delphi method, pilot testing, and advanced statistical techniques are used to validate the model. The Sustainable Intersectoral Linking Model in Agriculture, Hospitality, and Tourism (SILM-AHT) is developed, encompassing 37 indicators distributed across five factors: Sustainability, Education, Government Policy, Contribution of Farmers and Hospitality Providers, and Infrastructure. The SILM-AHT model can serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, enabling the monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development strategies. Its further practical application is recommended, along with the development of sustainable and well-coordinated activities and programs involving all the relevant stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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17 pages, 1340 KiB  
Article
Regenerative Agritourism: Embarking on an Evolutionary Path or Going Back to Basics?
by Anna Jęczmyk, Jarosław Uglis and Magdalena Kozera-Kowalska
Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 2026; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14112026 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1338
Abstract
From time to time, some well-known terms are extended with adjectives to create new topics, which is exactly what happened in the case of regenerative agritourism. This article aims to try to explain the term “regenerative” as the next step in thinking about [...] Read more.
From time to time, some well-known terms are extended with adjectives to create new topics, which is exactly what happened in the case of regenerative agritourism. This article aims to try to explain the term “regenerative” as the next step in thinking about sustainable development and in relation to the definition of agritourism. The research methods used include the literature analysis, the bibliographic program VoSwiver (version 1.6.20), the descriptive method, and logical–comparative analysis. The authors conducted a systematic literature review to highlight the role of agritourism in supporting sustainable rural development and describe the concept of regenerative agritourism. The results of this analysis suggest that regenerative agritourism is “agritourism by another name” and is neither more sustainable nor more environmentally friendly. The characteristics attributed to the new term used to describe this form of tourism can already be found in agritourism perceived in its classical sense and in what is practiced as a tourist activity on many farms. The results of our literature research have shown that regenerative agritourism is nothing other than agritourism that takes place on traditional farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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22 pages, 10801 KiB  
Article
Hedonic Pricing Models in Rural Tourism: Analyzing Factors Influencing Accommodation Pricing in Romania Using Geographically Weighted Regression
by Marius-Ionuț Gordan, Valentina Constanța Tudor, Cosmin Alin Popescu, Tabita Cornelia Adamov, Elena Peț, Ioana Anda Milin and Tiberiu Iancu
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081259 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2107
Abstract
This study investigates the factors influencing pricing in Romanian rural tourism using a hedonic pricing model through a hybrid LASSO-OLS regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR). By analyzing data from 5028 unique accommodation units across 1170 local administrative units, we identify some key [...] Read more.
This study investigates the factors influencing pricing in Romanian rural tourism using a hedonic pricing model through a hybrid LASSO-OLS regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR). By analyzing data from 5028 unique accommodation units across 1170 local administrative units, we identify some key pricing determinants, including accommodation size, capacity, facilities, and environmental attributes. The results reveal that larger accommodations and those with higher guest capacities command higher prices. Luxurious facilities, such as massage services, pools, and fireplaces, significantly increase pricing, although the impact of such features varies by region, as do accommodation type and natural scenery, with agritouristic boarding houses and proximity to natural attractions like water bodies and forests being more valued in certain regions. These factors can aid rural entrepreneurs in optimizing pricing to enhance competitiveness and profitability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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23 pages, 3541 KiB  
Article
Visualizing a Sustainable Future in Rural Romania: Agrotourism and Vernacular Architecture
by Raul-Cătălin Oltean, Carl T. Dahlman and Felix-Horatiu Arion
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081219 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3559
Abstract
In Romania, rural communities grapple with decades of depopulation and economic decline, endangering the natural and cultural richness of their landscapes. The implementation of Romania’s 2030 sustainable development plan presents an opportunity to reverse these trends by merging economic and community development with [...] Read more.
In Romania, rural communities grapple with decades of depopulation and economic decline, endangering the natural and cultural richness of their landscapes. The implementation of Romania’s 2030 sustainable development plan presents an opportunity to reverse these trends by merging economic and community development with cultural preservation. This paper examines the potential for creating new livelihood opportunities through a program that integrates sustainable agrotourism with culturally appropriate vernacular architecture in Romania’s distinct rural regions. Focusing on two such regions characterized by significant rural population decline yet endowed with ecological services capable of supporting a diverse rural economy, we collaborated with an architect and landscape engineer to devise three specific and detailed agritourist housing scenarios. These scenarios draw upon local architectural forms harmonious with the vernacular landscape, providing accommodations for agrotourism guests and facilitating craft workshops for visitors interested in rural crafts and traditions. We evaluated the cultural appropriateness of the architectural designs through a social survey and assessed the broader social utility of the development plan via an expansive cost–benefit analysis, treating the project’s sustainability features as quasi-public goods. Such interdisciplinary endeavours are essential for effectively bridging conceptually driven social analysis with pragmatic design and planning strategies, essential for achieving sustainable futures for rural communities and landscapes, as exemplified by rural Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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Review

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20 pages, 5551 KiB  
Review
Climate Change and Its Impact on Romanian Rural Tourism—A Review of Actionable Knowledge
by Liliana Velea, Anisoara Irimescu, Roxana Bojariu and Zenaida Chitu
Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 1917; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14111917 - 29 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2134
Abstract
Various motivations are at the basis of tourists’ choice for rural destinations, and among them natural environment and outdoor activities hold a significant weight. This makes tourism vulnerable to climate change through the direct effect of changes in the attractivity of climate conditions, [...] Read more.
Various motivations are at the basis of tourists’ choice for rural destinations, and among them natural environment and outdoor activities hold a significant weight. This makes tourism vulnerable to climate change through the direct effect of changes in the attractivity of climate conditions, in addition to the indirect effects due to the expected impacts on other associated socio-economic sectors. In this context, increasing rural tourism resilience to climate change is a complex issue which needs to consider adaptation measures focusing on tourism specifics in synergy with adaptation measures in related sectors (e.g., energy, land and water management, urbanization aspects). Expected impacts, vulnerability and resilience of tourism to climate change are research issues more and more addressed in the recent years and their assessment at national or even local scales becomes increasingly important for designing effective adaptation measures. The study aims to present a summary of current knowledge related to the impact of climate change on Romanian tourism and, in particular, on rural tourism. Also, a synthesis of the available climate information tailored for the Romanian tourism sector is presented, focusing on actionable information that may be employed to reduce the negative effects of climate change on Romanian rural tourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leveraging Agritourism for Rural Development)
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