Rural Tourism in Odisha

Abstract

The term “Rural Tourism” has different meaning in different countries. Though it seems to be simple to define rural tourism as “Tourism that takes place in the countryside” this definition does not include the complexity of the activity and the different forms and meanings developed in different countries. According to a broader definition, “rural tourism includes a range of activities, services, and amenities provided by farmers and rural people to attract tourists to their area in order to generate extra income for their business”. If this broader concept is accepted, rural tourism covers not only farm tourism or agri-tourism, but also special interest nature holidays, touring in rural areas and residential tourism, ethnic tourism and the services include – besides accommodation events like (folk dance, folk song, folk music and yatra), festivities, outdoor recreation, production and sale of handicrafts, souvenir, folk-painting and agricultural products. Rural tourism is an old and a new phenomenon at the same time, interest in countryside recreation started to grew already in the 19th century as a reaction to the increasing urbanization and industrialization. Rural tourism is often considered to be intrinsically sustainable, for it attracts small number of visitors there no need for extensive infrastructural development, tourists are usually genuinely interested in the local culture and traditions. One of the main attractions of rural holidays is the personal interaction with local residents, so hosts and guests are able to share ideas and knowledge and consequently tourism can fulfill it role as the “industry of peace”, as a tool of mutual understanding.