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Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2018) | Viewed by 83231

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Anat Tchetchik

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Guest Editor

Geography and Environment, Bar-Ilan university, Ramat-Gan, Israel
Interests: environmental economics; sustainable/green consumption; pro-environmental decision making
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The second half of the 20th century showed an intensive development of rural tourism in many developed, as well as undeveloped, economies. Its emergence is attributed to a transformation that the countryside underwent, spurred by technological advance and changing market conditions. This transformation has led to substantial environmental damage and a sharp drop in farming income. Eventually, the policy context shifted from expansion and modernization of agricultural production toward diversification, environmental protection, and extensification. Within the sphere of diversification, rural tourism has become an important element, as reflected by generous subsidies and support that are granted to rural-tourism-related projects in the EU and the OECD. Several decades after its emergence, rural tourism is demonstrating rapid growth in terms of both number of visitors and revenue. This raises some questions in particular, whether, and to what extent, the “role” that was attributed to rural tourism as a panacea for rural development was fulfilled.

This Special Issue aims to discuss various impacts of rural tourism on rural development and rural resilience. For example, under what circumstances can this activity become unsustainable? What policy measures may be capable in promising its sustainability? How does rural tourism effect the rural environment? What kind of externalities rural tourism incurs on the rural environment? How does rural tourism interact with agricultural production? Does rural tourism help keep farms viable, as originally was believed? If the claim that visitors to the rural tourism have negative preferences to see working farms is correct, what will be the results of excessive exiting from agriculture on rural development and rural resilience?

We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue by submitting comprehensive reviews, case studies, or research articles that focus on scientific methods and innovatively statistical analyses. Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer review procedure with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications.

Dr. Anat Tchetchik
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

Rural tourism
Rural development
Rural resilience
Diversification

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 7993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building Coalitions for a Diversified and Sustainable Tourism: Two Case Studies from Hungary

by Zoltán Lakner, Anna Kiss, Ivan Merlet, Judit Oláh, Domicián Máté, Janusz Grabara and József Popp

Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041090 - 05 Apr 2018

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5710

Abstract

The development of the tourism sector has been a question of strategic importance for Hungary, a small, open economy with limited natural resources. At the same time, these efforts often generate considerable environmental conflicts, decreasing the sustainability of the environment. To understand the potential methods of sustainable tourism development, and to develop the optimal policy, it is essential to clarify the actors, their systems of interest and the potential ways of forging coalitions between them. The article presents an analysis of two case studies of rural tourism development: the “softening” of tourism at the most important touristic attraction in Hungary, Lake Balaton; and the conflicts arising from wine tourism development. Based on institutional economics, principle–agent theory and strategic management, and applying the MACTOR method, the authors identify the key actors, present the network of their mutual influences and goals, determine the most important conflicts and highlight the potential coalitions between them from the point of view of sustainable rural tourism development, as well as ways to further develop the regulatory environment. Based on this analysis, the article proves: (1) the importance of the modernization and re-organization of the public administration structure, focusing on optimal utilization of resources, as opposed to attaching to traditions; (2) the importance of forming clusters of different partners; (3) the strengthening of the knowledge base of decisions concerning sustainable tourism management; and (4) increasing conscious planning, based on the inclusion of different interest groups and long-term prognoses in local decision making, minimises the environmental burden of tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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17 pages, 508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resident Support for Tourism Development in Rural Midwestern (USA) Communities: Perceived Tourism Impacts and Community Quality of Life Perspective

by Chia-Pin Yu, Shu Tian Cole and Charles Chancellor

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030802 - 13 Mar 2018

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 9785

Abstract

Local residents play an important role in the process of sustainable development in tourism. Resident support for tourism development contributes to the health of tourism industry and successful community development. Therefore, it is in the best interest of local residents, the tourism industry, and tourists, that residents have a positive outlook on and positive experiences with tourism development. In order to understand resident support for tourism development from tourism impacts and community quality of life perspective within the rural communities of Orange County, Indiana, USA, this study has examined a proposed structural model which incorporates eight latent variables: (a) six types of positive and negative tourism impacts serve as exogenous latent variables; (b) tourism-related community quality of life (TCQOL) is proposed as the mediating variable; and (c) resident support for tourism development is the ultimate dependent variable. The results show that both sociocultural and environmental benefits contribute to the host community’s living experience. Economic and sociocultural benefits, negative sociocultural and environmental impacts, and TCQOL influence resident support for tourism development. This study identified specific tourism impacts that affect TCQOL and resident support for local tourism development. This study affirms that community quality of life (QOL) serves an effective predictor of support for tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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23 pages, 738 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Zealand Winegrowers Attitudes and Behaviours towards Wine Tourism and Sustainable Winegrowing

by Tim Baird, C. Michael Hall and Pavel Castka

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 797; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030797 - 13 Mar 2018

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 12620

Abstract

There are significant economic, environmental, social, and marketing issues that exist from the supply-side perspective in response to sustainability. This study examines New Zealand winegrowers in terms of their attitudes and behaviours towards wine tourism and sustainable wine production. A national survey was conducted at the end of 2015, which was the fourth such survey to be undertaken as part of a longitudinal study of wine tourism in New Zealand. This survey drew on issues of wine and biosecurity, climate change, and eco-labelling, as well as wine tourism. These issues were examined within the context of three key drivers of sustainability: the physical aspects of sustainable wine production, the internal drivers within wine businesses for the adoption of sustainable practices, and the external regulatory aspects that govern the adoption of sustainable wine production practices. The findings indicate that there were substantial concerns with the perceived value provided by both wine tourism and sustainable winegrowing practices. These concerns exist at both the firm level and with the governing bodies that are responsible for implementing sustainable winegrowing initiatives. Unless this perception of the value of sustainability within the New Zealand wine industry is altered in the future, it appears that there will continue to be an ongoing issue as to how sustainable winegrowing initiatives are implemented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Managerial Efficiency of Educational Tourism in Agriculture: Case of Dairy Farms in Japan

by Yasuo Ohe

Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 1931; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9111931 - 25 Oct 2017

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3850

Abstract

Many rural areas face difficulty in how to motivate farmers to embark on diversified activities, such as tourism, while raising managerial efficiency. Thus, this paper conceptually and empirically evaluated how a farmer’s identity correlates with managerial efficiency since the connection between the two has not been explored fully. We have addressed this issue through examining farmers’ efforts in providing an emerging new educational tourism service by focusing on the Educational Dairy Farms in Japan. Conceptually, this paper classified farmers’ identity into two types: traditional identity as a simple farm producer offering an educational service as a volunteer, and, enlarged identity, which is oriented toward viability of a new service activity. Empirically, data envelopment analysis revealed that those with the enlarged identity realized a higher managerial efficiency although there was much room for improvement in overall managerial efficiency. Consequently, support measures with a wider perspective that include identity issues should be designed for capacity building of farmers who are conducting tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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1466 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rural Tourism Accommodation Prices by Land Use-Based Hedonic Approach: First Results from the Case Study of the Self-Catering Cottages in Asturias

by Celia Bilbao-Terol, Verónica Cañal-Fernández, Luis Valdés and Eduardo Del Valle

Sustainability 2017, 9(10), 1688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101688 - 22 Sep 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4995

Abstract

This study analyses the impacts of environmental amenities associated with agricultural and silvicultural land use on the price of rural tourism accommodation in Asturias (Spain). A hedonic price model that relates the price of rural accommodation to environmental amenities as well as equipment, services offered, and the locational characteristics of the accommodation is estimated. The rural accommodations in the study are the self-catering cottages, the intrinsic features of which promote the development of rural tourism sustainability. Geographic information systems (GIS) data are used to measure the location and the proximity to amenities of these self-catering cottages. The main results indicate that agricultural land use has an important impact on the price of accommodation in self-catering cottages. Specifically, a high percentage of grassland in the municipality where the self-catering cottage is sited has a positive effect on rental prices, while a high percentage of arable crops has the opposite effect. The analysis is interesting for decision-making in the context of environmental policies, land use conflict resolution, and rural tourism sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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1050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rural Destination Development Based on Olive Oil Tourism: The Impact of Residents’ Community Attachment and Quality of Life on Their Support for Tourism Development

by Ana María Campón-Cerro, José Antonio Folgado-Fernández and José Manuel Hernández-Mogollón

Sustainability 2017, 9(9), 1624; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091624 - 13 Sep 2017

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 8799

Abstract

Residents are an essential part of tourism destinations, which makes gaining a deeper understanding of residents’ attitudes towards tourism development necessary because their favourable attitudes can contribute to destinations’ success. This study sought to understand to what extent rural residents’ perceptions of tourism development in their region affect their intention to support further tourism development. The present research also focused on the influence of the variables of community attachment and perceived quality of life on the relationship between residents’ perceptions of and intentions to support this development. This study concentrated on the case of olive oil tourism development in the Sierra de Gata and Las Hurdes districts in Spain. To test the proposed model, the data were collected from a sample of 245 residents in this region. Partial least squares was used to assess the model’s accuracy. The results highlight the importance of residents’ perceptions and their community attachment and perceived quality of life to destination managers who plan and develop tourism projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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1648 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Young Farmers’ Perceptions about Forest Management for Ecotourism as an Alternative for Development, in Puebla, Mexico

by Yésica Mayett-Moreno, Liz Farleidy Villarraga-Flórez and Sandra Rodríguez-Piñeros

Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071134 - 28 Jun 2017

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3738

Abstract

The incorporation of young farmers’ perceptions about ecotourism is important for decision-making. This was an exploratory and descriptive research project aimed at understanding young farmers’ views of a community-based ecotourism (CBE) project. Q methodology was used on a population of young adult farmers, of a small community in the state of Puebla. Three factors reflected their views: There was a group of people who wish to stay in Mexico to pursue the ecotourism project, but lack capabilities. A second group included young farmers who perceive ecotourism as a conservation project, but want to migrate to the United States. The third group was composed of people who envision ecotourism as a source of income for the community’s women. The analysis elicited an important inquiry in relation to environmental inter-generation: what kind of development are future generations pursuing? Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring the Economic Impact of Rural Tourism Membership on Local Economy: A Korean Case Study

by Hio-Jung Shin, Hyun No Kim and Jae-Young Son

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040639 - 18 Apr 2017

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5147

Abstract

The implementation of rural tourism membership can aid in boosting economic growth in rural areas. This study examines households’ preferences for rural tourism experience in association with sales of local agricultural products. Using a choice experiment method developed by experimental designs, this paper examines households’ preferences to trade off purchasing costs of local agricultural products against various benefits provided by the rural tourism membership. The methods utilized in this paper represent an effective approach to evaluate the value of local tourism resources and the influence of these resources on the local economy. In empirical estimation we applied econometric approaches that allow for different preferences by incorporating income and residence effects into the models. Findings reveal that respondents place a premium on tourism attributes such as invitation seats and outdoor adventure tickets when choosing a tourism membership. We also find that the economic impacts associated with inducing higher-level tourism membership are substantial. This paper illustrates the potential for the development of a strategy associated with rural tourism management to enhance the local economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perspective of Sustainable Rural Tourism in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK): Comparative Study of β and σ Convergence in the Economic Development Regions

by Gina Ionela Butnaru and Alina Petronela Haller

Sustainability 2017, 9(4), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9040525 - 30 Mar 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7411

Abstract

Tourism is an activity which globally develops proportionally with the evolution of progress. The opportunities we enjoy are bigger than ever, but their price should be lowered in order for the global society to develop its wealth. This can be performed by sustainability, a concept which will join in the future all economic activities, not only tourism. Our analysis is focused on the specific case of the UK, one of the main tourist destinations in the world. It is well known that cultural tourism is the form attracting the highest number of foreign visitors. However, we can see the importance given to rural tourism. The main methods used to perform the present analysis are β and σ convergence. They proved their efficiency in other research studies, which led to a high degree of accuracy of the results. β and σ convergence analysis is performed on a sample of 12 Economic Development Regions from the UK, among which we will determine the degree of convergence and divergence of sustainable rural tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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24 pages, 811 KiB

Open AccessConcept Paper

Tourism Diversification and Its Implications for Smart Specialisation

by Adi Weidenfeld

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020319 - 26 Jan 2018

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 19710

Abstract

The complex nature of tourism, its strong inter-sectoral relationships and regional dimension challenge innovation. The advent of smart specialisation, which focuses on regional diversification across sectors, offers considerable and hitherto largely unrealized potential for developing innovative tourism policies within this new agenda. This paper addresses the understudied concept of tourism diversification and its unrealized relevance to smart specialisation, which has emerged as a mainstream logic underpinning EU Cohesion Policy reforms and has diffused into other OECD countries. It provides a theoretical framework for studying product, market, sectoral and regional diversification as well as related variety in tourism. Some policy implications for realizing tourism diversification and for the potential role of tourism in smart specialisation strategies in particular are suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Tourism, Rural Development and Rural Resilience)

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