Prospects of agritourism in Bikaner district of Rajasthan

Abstract

The present study was carried out to examine the potential of agritourism in Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Tourism experts and agriprenuers were selected on the basis of judgemental sampling while tourists were conveniently selected. Agritourism potential of Bikaner has scored 5.7 out of 10 and property/farm/site had 4.78 out of 10 that indicating huge scope and potential for agritourism in study area but efforts are needed towards site, infrastructure, marketing, innovative ways of displaying agritourism products and services. Increasing number of foreign and domestic tourist in Bikaner create an opportunity for this new farm diversification or additional source of income for farmers and other participants. Criteria those are considered during location identification-near to water source, away from polluted environment, better connectivity, natural site, historical importance, agricultural prosperity, etc. Lack of credit facilities, lack of water resources, lack of specific policy and no clear policy about tax exemption are most important problems in establishment and operating agritourism centers.