Agri-tourism entrepreneurship: A new strategy for sustainable rural development

Abstract1
Agri-tourism entrepreneurship has received increasing attention in recent years
as it has been widely promoted both in developed and developing countries. Many
scholars argue that agri-tourism entrepreneurship can play a significant role as a
new strategy for sustainable agricultural and rural development. Indeed, agri-
tourism entrepreneurship can deliver several benefits in the three dimensions of
sustainability. Within the economic dimension, agri-tourism can be considered as
an agricultural diversification strategy. It can provide a supplementary income and
new employment opportunities to rural communities; therefore, it can reduce
poverty, unemployment, and immigration in rural areas. From the environmental
perspective, agri-tourism can contribute to the conservation of the environment,
ecosystems and farm lands and minimize environmental damage and agricultural
contaminations. From the socio-cultural perspective, agri-tourism helps preserve
rural cultural heritage, improve farmers' social status, and empower female
farmers. These benefits and positive effects of agri-tourism can accelerate the
process of agricultural and rural development. However, several common
challenges frequently hamper the development of agri-tourism, including planning
problems, lack of financial and human resources, lack of relevant training and
education, and lack of professionalism. Government institutions should
increasingly encourage and promote agri-tourism in rural areas. This study is a
descriptive and library research and its aim is to review the concept, principles of
agri-tourism entrepreneurship, explain its benefits for sustainable rural
development and state challenges facing agri-tourism. The paper finally presents
some suggestions to overcome the challenges.