Impact of Agritourism as Perceived by Multiple Stakeholders

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of agritourism as perceived by its stakeholders. The sample comprised of forty-five Agritourism Centres (ATCs) drawn from two states i.e. Maharashtra (n=30) and Goa (n=15). The total number of visitors selected for the study was 200, thus consisting of 100 visitors each from respective states. It followed an ex-post facto research design and was purposively conducted in Maharashtra and Goa. The impact was measured in terms of change in employment days and perceived overall socio-economic changes. An average number of employment days in Maharashtra and Goa had increased from 149 to 202 man-days/year and 117 to 208 man-days/year viz. after 2016. Significant changes were observed in the installation of new irrigation system and new farm structure for activities and games in Maharashtra whereas in Goa, ATC farms witnessed significant improvement in the installation of new processing and postharvesting equipment and arrangements for entertainment along with the installation of a new irrigation system. Both the ATC hosts showed significant social changes in social participation, increase in external contacts, and recognition and awards. A significant difference was observed among the compared benefits as perceived by tourists in terms of learning more about nature, to think about their values, recalling good times from the past and to have a change from their daily routine.