FACTORS OF DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITIVENESS: THE CASE OF ORGANIC-AGRITOURISM

Abstract

Many farmers, in addition to normal farming activities, have already turned to agritourism as a source of additional farm income and opportunities. There are numerous benefits to be gained from the development of agritourism: it may strengthen local economy, create job opportunities and develop and promote training and certification programs to introduce young people to agriculture and the environment. Agritourism helps preserve rural lifestyles and landscape and offers the opportunity to provide "sustainable" tourism. Organic agriculture is due to demand for healthy foods with a high quality standard and limited use of chemical substances. Organic agriculture is closely connected to agritourism and tourism. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine those factors that have helped rural communities to successfully develop agritourism, in particular organic-agritourism, and to discuss its entrepreneurship opportunities. Several focus groups were conducted with local business people and leaders regarding an applicative case of Southern Italy.agritourism, organic agriculture, competitiveness, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development,