Agritourism as a preferred travelling trend in boosting rural economies in the post-COVID-19 period: Nexus between agriculture, tourism, art and culture

Abstract

The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused a massive disruption in the global economy, especially the tourism and hospitality industry. The unpleasant experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s post effects and the fear of a new wave of infections has thrown the tourism industry of many countries in limbo. Due to the growing interest in agritourism, it has become a preferred travelling trend in boosting the tourism revenues of countries, especially, those in the rural regions where the harsh economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is greatly experienced. This mini-review of existing theoretical and empirical studies on agritourism aimed at discussing how agritourism as a tourism option for countries, could boost rural economies, promote cultural education and local traditional craft enterprises in this post-COVID-19 period. The study concludes that when skilfully managed with strict observation to the COVID-19 safety protocols, agritourism could be a preferred tourism resort for especially domestic visitors to generate tourism revenue for impoverished farmers and rural community members in the present post-COVID-19 era