The Role of Agritourism in Sustainable Rural Development of Georgia

Abstract

The notion of rural development has become an issue of current discussions that contains agriculture and countryside agritourism. It has an important role in the sustainable rural development of the country. Evidence from the experience of European Rural Development Programs confirms the role that rural development can play in terms of increasing the welfare of rural populations and reducing the economic imbalance between rural and urban areas. Rural and agricultural policies should build on the identity and tendencies of rural areas through the implementation of integrated strategies and multi-sector approaches. They should promote diversification and foster entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, and employment. These policies should also add value to rural identity and enhance sustainability, social inclusion and local development, as well as increase the resilience of farms and rural communities. In the article, rural development practice in Georgia is represented where agrotourism can be considered as one of the promising directions that contributes not only to the development of tourism, but also is a kind of multiplier for the economy for both the region and the country.