Determination of the evaluation criteria for agritourism via delphi and analytic hierarchy process methods: a case study in Turkey

Abstract

The population is decreasing in the regions where agricultural lands are prevalent, agricultural areas are not used effectively and efficiently, and both the afore-said regions and the people living there show a recession with each passing day in terms of economic, social and cultural aspects. This study examines from a different angle the agritourism which can be considered as an alternative option for the creation of a significant impact which may decelerate, stop or even reverse the above-mentioned recession. Accordingly, the main objective of the study is to determine and weight the evaluation criteria for agritourism. Decision-making techniques such as Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process methods have been used for this purpose. 52 evaluation criteria have been determined by common consent through a Delphi study consisting of three rounds. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method has been used for the determination of the priorities in the specified criteria and for the calculation of their weights. In this way, it has been aimed to contribute to the studies that will be carried out in order to determine the existence of agritourism potentials in any region.