The relationships between sustainable rural development and agro-tourism: examples from Türkiye

Abstract

Sustainable rural development aims to provide an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development in rural areas and agro-tourism aims to evaluate the tourism potential of agricultural rural areas to make economic gains for the local people through tourism activities. Agricultural tourism integrates agricultural activities with tourism in rural areas and enables tourists to communicate with locals and experience agriculture-themed experiences. Tourism activities such as the sale of locally produced agricultural products that tourists are interested in, the organization of agricultural tours to show the production stages and accommodation revitalize the rural economy. This supports sustainable rural development. The culture, lifestyle, customs and traditions of the local people living in the countryside are introduced to the tourists and their cultural exchange takes place during agricultural tourism. In this way, interest in products that symbolize culture arises and economic benefits emerge. Agritourism, in particular, supports organic agriculture without the use of pesticides, operates in accordance with environmental sustainability principles such as sustainable agricultural practices and nature protection. This ensures the protection of natural resources in rural areas without harming the environment. In short, rural areas can become touristic attractions thanks to agricultural tourism. With the development of agricultural activities and other services in agricultural regions where tourists show great interest, new job opportunities arise, that is, economic, social and infrastructural development can be realized. From this point of view, it can be said that there is a reciprocal relationship between the understanding of sustainable rural development and agricultural tourism. Agritourism, while solving the economic, social and environmental problems in rural areas, also ensures that agriculture continues in a sustainable way. This contributes to the economy of the locals and sustainable development in rural areas. In this study, examples of sustainable rural development and agricultural tourism practices in Turkey are also discussed.