Tourism in Rural Areas and Information and Communications Technology

Abstract

Agriculture has a significant impact on a global scale, shaping economies, societies, affecting the environment, and is the primary source of food, income, and livelihood for a large portion of the world's population. Agriculture also contributes to global trade providing food and raw materials for industries worldwide. Moreover, it affects the population in rural areas not only by providing employment but also promoting cultural heritage and enhancing social interactions. Agritourism or tourism in rural areas has been promoted, and is until today, as a means of boosting rural economies, encouraging the diversification of economic activity, promoting local products and SMEs, ultimately improving the quality of life in rural areas, and avoiding depopulation. Today, digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas is a global policy priority. In this paper, applications of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in tourism in rural areas and current tends are explored.