AGRITOURISM IN AFRICA: A STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF DISADVANTAGED RURAL AREAS (ON THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA)
Rubrics: AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICIES
Authors:
1.
Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Type:
Article
eLocation:
Status:
Published
Received:
06.08.2020
Accepted:
15.08.2020
Published:
25.08.2020
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
agroturizm, sel'skiy turizm, turizm, Afrika, YuAR, sel'skoe hozyaystvo
Abstract (English):
Agritourism is one of the most rapidly developing kinds of tourism and produces a number of additional advantages, including ecological (natural farming, eco-agriculture), social (increase in the number of people employed in agritourism and numerous related industries) and cultural (preservation of natural and cultural objects, customs, etc.) side effects. In African countries, agritourism began to develop in the 1990s. It is characterized by special features inherent only to the African continent: unique food and dishes that have practically no analogues in the world, rich biodiversity, untouched landscapes and natural beauty, rich cultural heritage of the local population. Most of the farms that are open to tourists operate in accordance with the principles of ecological agriculture, that is, they preserve the environment and ensure the protection of unique natural diversity. In Africa, the leading country in the field of tourism in general and agritourism in particular is the Republic of South Africa. The South African government has recognized the priority of tourism development, and after 20 years of reforms this tourism sector has begun to make a significant contribution to the country's GDP. Agritourism stimulates the development of small businesses and generates significant export revenues. Rural tourism offers many benefits to the farmers themselves. The combination of tourism and agriculture helps farmers to diversify their income from agricultural production and from the provision of tourism services, which is especially important in a situation similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the development of agritourism in Africa is associated with training farmers in the field of agricultural production, tourism, the basics of entrepreneurship and the creation of new lines of products to attract tourists and diversify income.
Agritourism is one of the most rapidly developing kinds of tourism and produces a number of additional advantages, including ecological (natural farming, eco-agriculture), social (increase in the number of people employed in agritourism and numerous related industries) and cultural (preservation of natural and cultural objects, customs, etc.) side effects. In African countries, agritourism began to develop in the 1990s. It is characterized by special features inherent only to the African continent: unique food and dishes that have practically no analogues in the world, rich biodiversity, untouched landscapes and natural beauty, rich cultural heritage of the local population. Most of the farms that are open to tourists operate in accordance with the principles of ecological agriculture, that is, they preserve the environment and ensure the protection of unique natural diversity. In Africa, the leading country in the field of tourism in general and agritourism in particular is the Republic of South Africa. The South African government has recognized the priority of tourism development, and after 20 years of reforms this tourism sector has begun to make a significant contribution to the country's GDP. Agritourism stimulates the development of small businesses and generates significant export revenues. Rural tourism offers many benefits to the farmers themselves. The combination of tourism and agriculture helps farmers to diversify their income from agricultural production and from the provision of tourism services, which is especially important in a situation similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the development of agritourism in Africa is associated with training farmers in the field of agricultural production, tourism, the basics of entrepreneurship and the creation of new lines of products to attract tourists and diversify income.
Keywords:
agroturizm, sel'skiy turizm, turizm, Afrika, YuAR, sel'skoe hozyaystvo
agroturizm, sel'skiy turizm, turizm, Afrika, YuAR, sel'skoe hozyaystvo
