Agro-tourism in Nepal: Assessment of economic, cultural, and environmental impact

Aaditi Khanal; Avishek Khanal; Femmy Basnet; Sabila Joshi; Suja Giri

doi:10.31893/humanitj.2024007

Keywords:

agro-tourism

Nepal

economic contributions

cultural preservation

environmental sustainability

tourism impact

Abstract

Agro-tourism is a growing trend that combines agriculture and tourism to offer people a unique and sustainable experience. This review article explored the global trends, economic contributions, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability of agro-tourism in Nepal. By synthesizing existing literature and aligning it with the Nepalese context, the study provides valuable insights for strategic planning and policy formulation, fostering responsible and sustainable growth in this emerging industry. In the context of Nepal, where agriculture is a cornerstone of livelihoods, the economic contributions of agro-tourism, ranging from supplemental income generation to sustainable development, have been analyzed. The exploration extends to the cultural preservation and authenticity fostered by agro-tourism, as well as its impact on environmental sustainability. Despite the promising prospects, the study also presents the challenges faced in integrating agro-tourism in Nepal, proposing solutions to address economic dependency on agriculture, limited tourism contribution to GDP, cultural commodification concerns, environmental conservation challenges, tourism seasonal variability, and the need for government policy support.
References
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18. Rambodagedara, R. M. M. H. K., Silva, D. A. C., & Perera, S. (2015). Agro-tourism development in farming community: Opportunities and challenges. Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute. http://harti.gov.lk/images/download/reasearch_report/new1/188.pdf. Accessed on December 17, 2023
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21. Wartini, S., Alfaqiih, A., Riswandi, B. A., & Park, J. (2022). The Impacts of Eco-Tourism and Agrotourism Based on Plant Variety Protection to Sustain Biological Diversity and Green Economic Growth in Indonesia. International Journal of Law and Politics Studies, 4(2), 136-148. https://al-kindipublisher.com/index.php/ijlps/article/view/4462

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Khanal, A., Khanal, A., Basnet, F., Joshi, S., & Giri, S. (2024). Agro-tourism in Nepal: Assessment of economic, cultural, and environmental impact. Humanities Journal, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.31893/humanitj.2024007

[1] Briedenhann, J., & Wickens, E. (2004). Tourism routes as a tool for the economic development of rural areas—vibrant hope or impossible dream? Tourism Management, 25(1), 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(03)00063-3

[2] Buckley, R., Zhong, L., & Ma, J. (2016). The issues and challenges of sustainable tourism development in rural Yunnan, China. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(8-9), 1139-1159.

[3] El Moslem Badr, D. M. (2022). Challenges and Future of the development of sustainable ecotourism. International Journal of Modern Agriculture and Environment, 2(2), 54-72. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/ijmae.2023.214937.1006

[4] Ferreira, D. I. R., & Sánchez-Martín, J. M. (2022). Agricultural landscapes as a basis for promoting Agritourism in cross-border Iberian regions. Agriculture, 12(5), 716. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12050716

[5] Francis, K. G. (2019). Developing Strategic Band Marketing Communications Through Wine Tourism: How a Biodynamic Winery and Rural Hotel in Mallorca can Spread its Wings. Retrieved from https://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/bitstream/10216/126705/2/390167.pdf

[6] Ghimire, M., Khanal, A., Bhatt, D., Dahal, D., & Giri, S. (2024). Agroforestry systems in Nepal: Enhancing food security and rural livelihoods–a comprehensive review. Food and Energy Security, 13(1), e524. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.524

[7] Giri, S., Poudel, A., Khanal, A., Pandey, R., Paudel, R., & Khanal, S. (2023). Understanding the payment for ecosystem services and associated challenges: Global practices and recommendation for Nepal. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 5(4), 2022017. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2022017

[8] Hall, C. M., Mitchell, R., & Sharples, L. (2003). Food tourism around the world: Development, management and markets. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann.

[9] Hjalager, A. M. (2010a). Rural tourism in Europe—experiences, development and perspectives. Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change, 1(1), 21-38. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=3401414. Accessed on January 18, 2024

[10] Hjalager, A.-M. (2010b). Progress in Tourism Management: A Review of Innovation Research in Tourism. Tourism Management, 31, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.08.012

[11] Khanal, S. & Shrestha M. (2019). Agro-tourism: Prospects, importance, destinations and challenges in Nepal, 4(4): 464-471. https://www.academia.edu/44034288/Agro_tourism_Prospects_importance_destinations_and_challenges_in_Nepal Accessed on January 3, 2024

[12] Malati. K. (2020). Agro-tourism and Rural Development in Nepal. Patan Pragya, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.3126/pragya.v7i1.35111

[13] Miah, M. A. K., Mohiuddin, A., & Chakrabarty, S. (2022). Nature of Forest Crime in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study on Modhupur Reserve Forest. Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management, 1(4), 403-409. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/josem.v1i4.50005

[14] Milne, S., & Mason, D. (2000). Linking Tourism and Agriculture: Innovative Information Technology Solutions. In Proceedings Regional Agro-tourism Conference, 27.

[15] Omijeh, J. E. (2022). Tree Growth Analysis as a Panacea for Sustainable Forest Management in Northeast Nigeria: Study of Lannea Kerstingii (Anacardiaceae). Journal of Sustainability and Environmental Management, 1(2), 182-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/josem.v1i2.45360

[16] Pandey, H. and Pandey, R.P. (2011). Socio-Economic Development through Agro- Tourism: A Case Study of Bhaktapur, Nepal. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 12.

[17] Pehin Dato Musa, S. F., & Chin, W. L. (2022). The contributions of agritourism to the local food system. Consumer behavior in tourism and hospitality, 17(2), 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/CBTH-10-2021-0251

[18] Rambodagedara, R. M. M. H. K., Silva, D. A. C., & Perera, S. (2015). Agro-tourism development in farming community: Opportunities and challenges. Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute. http://harti.gov.lk/images/download/reasearch_report/new1/188.pdf. Accessed on December 17, 2023

[19] Sharpley, R., & Roberts, L. (2004). Rural tourism—Evolution, impacts, and futures. Channel View Publications.

[20] Van Zyl, C. C. (2019). The size and scope of agri-tourism in South Africa (Doctoral dissertation, North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus). https://repository.nwu.ac.za/handle/10394/33095 Accessed on December 5, 2023

[21] Wartini, S., Alfaqiih, A., Riswandi, B. A., & Park, J. (2022). The Impacts of Eco-Tourism and Agrotourism Based on Plant Variety Protection to Sustain Biological Diversity and Green Economic Growth in Indonesia. International Journal of Law and Politics Studies, 4(2), 136-148. https://al-kindipublisher.com/index.php/ijlps/article/view/4462

Abstract

References

How to cite