Rural Tourism: Road to Countryside
Rural tourism refers to the activities that take place in the rural areas where people travel from their places for few days to relax and for the sole purpose of leisure and pleasure. It is called country staycation by some people where tourist spends maximum time of their vacation in engaging with recreational activities in a rural environment on a farm, country home or surrounding areas. sometimes the areas included in this kind of tourism are national parks, forests, countryside areas, and mountain areas and are aligned with sustainable tourism if it is somewhat related to green spaces and eco-friendly forms of tourism, such as hiking or camping. It is considered to be an ideal place for rural and urban economic exchange. It is the escape to the monotonous, chaotic, and stressful life.
Types and form of rural tourism:
- Agritourism: Tourism that is related to the agrarian environment, agrarian products, or agrarian stays: staying at the farm, whether in rooms or camping, educational visits, meals, recreational activities, and the sale of farm product or handicrafts.
- Farm Tourism: It is normally associated with tourism that involves a stay at the farm and seeking experiences from farm operations and attractions.
- Wilderness and Forest Tourism: Tourism that explores the natural beauty of the rural area. In this, tourists travel to the natural habitat of plants and animals.
- Green Tourism: Tourism in the countryside or green areas. It is considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional, mass tourism.
- Ecotourism: Tourism to natural areas which involves direct benefits for local societies and cultures, includes sustainable tourism activities.
Rural tourism shows a significant impact on the market. Rural India can be the new hub for travellers because of its culture, arts, crafts, heritage, cuisine, tradition, etc. It supports local communities and gives new opportunities to the villagers. Some villages that offer rural tourism in India are Kutch, Pipili, Hodka, Spiti, etc.
Rural tourism has different effects on the economy including employment, increasing income, optimization of resources, etc. It is a growing form of tourism. It is more than just farm stays or visits to rural areas.
Some importance and benefits are:
- It can provide a source of new income and employment in rural areas.
- Rural tourism helps in infrastructure development in rural areas.
- It helps to reduce gender inequality and other social power.
- It helps to reinvigorate the local culture and its values.
- It helps to increase the living condition of the local community.
- Helps to re-use abandoned properties.
- Provide opportunities for retaining the population.
Some important issues and challenges are:
- Economic Leakages.
- Price inflation.
- Employment structure.
- Seasonal demands.
- Destruction of rural wildlife.
- Littering, emission, etc
- Pollution.
- Congestion.
Rural tourism normally focuses on looking into the rural lifestyle. The real-life of a village can be an attraction to a tourist. Rural tourism can help in shaping the life of poor rural people. Rural tourism has both negative as well as positive impacts on rural as well as urban communities.
Contributed By- Vanshika Kukreja, Content Writer at Mitti Ke Rang
https://pages.razorpay.com/MittikeRang
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