**4. Results**

In this section, we provide a state-of-the-art review basing on the description and the analysis of topics emerged as the output of the LDA procedure. We assume that the keywords associated with each topic represent a synthesis of the main points discussed in the literature. In any case, to build a reliable interpretation of each topic, we provide a discussion considering relevant papers to confirm and integrate the interpretations derived from the analysis of the keywords. The 10 topics detected with the LDA procedure, are named and discussed according to the 34 selected papers. In particular, the discussions are developed based on the papers' main concepts which are the original proposals by the papers' authors or reformulations of studies they cited.

#### *4.1. Topic 1: Stimulus for Other Local Activities and Boosting Local Economies*

Several authors consider agritourism a potential means for economic development and regeneration of rural areas, especially for territories with limited options for development [8]. Agritourism activities act as a stimulus for other local activities (suppliers of touristic service, crafts, shops, museums) and for the promotion of the rural area. Agritourism farms often represent a hub for agritourism rural networks where agrifood products and tourism services meet consumers' demand for relocalization, acting as a trigger to motivate further direct business opportunities between tourists and other rural community actors [4]. Agritourism represents a contact point between what the rural network o ffers and the tourist/customer demand. Local suppliers, through their long-term contracts with the farm, o ffer agritourists their goods and services having indirect contact with them (mediated by the farm) [4]. In fact, tourists hosted in agritourism, usually visit rural areas and purchase agricultural products and village handicrafts. The positive e ffect of agritourism on the rural area is shared among several economic activities, as tourist spending does not relate only to agritourism services, but also to restaurants, crafts, commerce, and other firms located in the rural region. In this sense, agritourism supports economic development by contributing to the generation of demand for the products produced locally and other related rural goods and services. [51]. Tregua et al. [52] emphasize the relationship between agrifood products and tourism, considering agritourism to be a useful tool in increasing local economic development through mutual enhancement and territorial promotion. Several authors agree that the positive impacts of agritourism extend beyond the farm gates, highlighting that the increased revenues in agritourism farms can boost local economies through increased sales taxes, generation of local employment, and stimulation of local businesses [22,53]. Rural areas can exploit agritourism to activate positive network externalities, encouraging other types of commercial activities or complementary services, thus generating a "virtuous" circle [54,55].

#### *4.2. Topic 2: Alternative Source Income for the Farmer*/*Business Diversification*

Much research has addressed economic motives as important drivers of agritourism development from a service provider perspective [27,56]. Such studies are mainly based on survey research investigating benefits deriving from agritourism activities for farmers in specific rural contexts, for example, Montana [57], Virginia [30], Australia [31], Northeastern England [58], and Missouri [59].

It has been observed that agritourism o ffers many opportunities to small and medium farms. The opportunities include increased farm gross income, the generation of cash flow, and a chance for economic diversification, expanding marketing and farm brand awareness, and smoothing seasonal fluctuations in farm revenue that are customary among many forms of agriculture [53,60].

Although it is not always able to general high profits, in many cases, agritourism generates enough revenue to enable farms to survive during periods of poor production [7,55]. Veeck et al. [61] found that the majority of agritourism operations serve as supplemental sources of income while agricultural production remains the primary focus. Farmers are looking for "new ways" of doing business, exploring the viability of alternative economic strategies [62]. Agritourism, as a form of on-farm entrepreneurial diversification, has been frequently promoted to face this challenging agricultural context. Diversification strategies have been suggested to create a more stable, and often higher, income for the producer or to supplement farm incomes in times of economic distress such as a poor harvest or depressed prices [63].

#### *4.3. Topic 3: Distribution Channel for Farm Product*/*Developing New Tourism Market Niches*

Agritourism represents an important opportunity in particular for small and medium farms, usually unable to compete with big farms on large-scale production and to face the bargaining power of mass retail channels [64]. Agritourism may represent an alternative distribution channel for farm production, creating cross-marketing opportunities for farm household products [65].

#### *4.4. Topic 4: Infrastructural Investments*

The diversification of economic activities increases the value of properties in a territory, creating a ready infrastructure and opportunities for the economic development of other activities in a rural area [66]. The direct boost of agritourism-based activities not only generates multiplying effects in the local economic system as a whole but generates indirect positive effects in the entire local economic structure in terms of public investments and attraction of capital from outside the rural area [67], stimulating the development of physical infrastructure and strengthening the local structure.

#### *4.5. Topic 5: Natural and Landscape Resources Maintenance*/*Biodiversity and Environmental Protection*

The role of agricultural activities in contributing to the creation and modification of rural landscapes is widely recognized [68]. Over the centuries, agriculture has configured the current European landscape as a unique semi-natural environment, often endowed with a wide variety of habitats and species, whose livelihood depends on the continuation of agricultural activity.

The landscape is certainly a very important element in territorial competition and agritourism has excellent growth potential in rural areas characterized by the high quality of the landscape.

The need to address the tourist demand for a greater variety of products that agritourism farms are able to directly sell results in a minor presence of monoculture production, generating a different mosaic of landscapes.

According to Mastronardi et al. [69], the presence of agritourism farms in farming systems falling in forests and protected areas has positive impacts on biodiversity and natural resources since they develop more sustainable practices. Several works found that agritourism plays a relevant role in soil protection and in hydrogeological disaster prevention [70,71]. Hence, agritourism represents a form of sustainable tourism able to conserve and develop rural landscapes and biodiversity.

#### *4.6. Topic 6: Responsible Use of Raw Materials and Natural Resources*/*Waste Reduction*

Few studies emphasize the role of agritourism as a means to promote the responsible use of natural resources. According to Giurea et al [72], agritourism is a link to redesign the terms of consumption and waste for non-renewable energy sources. Re-using, recovering, re-developing, regenerating, and valorizing resources, must be considered as a frame of reference for sustainability in agritourism. Carlsen et al. [73] and Choo and Jamal [74] found a very strong inclination of farmers

toward environmentally friendly practice adoption, including water conservation procedures, recycling programs for materials, and guest's education on conservation matters.

Many agritourism entrepreneurs are developing greater sensitivity in the exploitation of natural resources to produce energy with zero environmental impact [75]. Moreover, agritourism represents an opportunity to reduce food waste and reuse unsold products. Composting at the farm is usually done with some leafy leftovers from the garden, and the food leftovers can be safely used to feed animals. Agricultural products unsold through traditional channels can be used in restaurant services or to produce marketable foodstu ffs (e.g., fruits turned into jam, vegetables preserved in oil) [76].

#### *4.7. Topic 7: Recovery of Roots, Folklore, and Traditions*

Agritourism represents a fundamental element in safeguarding the cultural heritage of rural areas [67]. It is mostly agreed that agritourism represents a key factor for local development, for rural marginal areas where the environmental and cultural heritage are strongly appreciated by tourists [77,78]. Agritourism was regarded as a form of rural tourism, which is rooted in rural areas with rurality as the dominant attraction. Agricultural landscape, rural vernacular landscape, and cultural heritage can be presented as an open-air museum displaying culture on the land by local people. Agritourism engages elements of community participation, heritage resource management, and strength rural tourism development plans [79].

#### *4.8. Topic 8: Provide Alternative Job Opportunities to Family Members*

Agritourism represents an important job opportunity, especially for young farmers [64]. In fact, several authors sugges<sup>t</sup> that agritourism represents a means to provide employment for family members and an opportunity to plan farm succession, in order to preserve the business for future generations [53]. Transgenerational continuity of the family farm is imperative for agribusiness activity [80]. According to Brandth and Haugen [81], agritourism represents a grea<sup>t</sup> opportunity to maintain and renew the farm and its assets. Authors found that taking care of the farm resources and improving them for successors is a typical characteristic of farmer mentality: farm owners continue to take care of and build on local traditions and continuity, albeit for commercial reasons.

#### *4.9. Topic 9. Educate Visitors on Agriculture and the Rural World*

Agritourism o ffers visitors the opportunity to enjoy and reinforce the atmosphere of the agricultural life by staying at a real working farm, while the farmers can promote the conservation of the rural context [5]. Pastoral life, rural lifestyle, and eno-gastronomy are some aspects encouraging tourists to visit rural farms with the purpose of education, recreation, and active involvement in farm-based activities [82,83]. This form of tourism experience is particularly appropriate for tourists who seek traditional rural hospitality and access to nature, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences while helping farmers to maintain agricultural viability and to diversify rural economies [8].

#### *4.10. Topic 10. Enabler of Emancipation of Women*

Some authors recognize the role of agritourism as an element for independence and empowerment for women in rural communities, from a psychological, social, political, and economic point of view [84]. Agritourism contributes to rebalancing the gender dynamics determined by the participation of women in agricultural settings. Several studies emphasize that agritourism initiatives are often carried out by women [85]. Agritourism creates the need for an additional workforce, creating employment opportunities for women outside their households [30].

According to Brandth and Haugen [81], "engaging in farm tourism implies a change that not only demands new skills and competencies but may also influence the conditions under which gender relationships, power, and identities are enacted". The opportunity to manage a business and the assumption of a leadership role, allows women to go beyond the purely operational tasks carried out in the agricultural sector. This gives women a voice and decision-making power, even if limited

by the scope of agritourism activities. According to Annes and Wright [86], agritourism allows women to develop self-confidence and challenge dominant representations portraying farm women as "incomplete farmers". In fact, agritourism gives them the opportunity to craft a professional image by demonstrating specialized knowledge and authority to the public.
