Workshop on Innovative Business Models for Rural Tourism

According to a report by Fortune Business Insights in 2020, the market size of agritourism, a key component of rural tourism, was USD69.24 billion in 2019 and was projected to reach USD117.37 billion by 2027. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed this projected growth, but the global tourism industry is anticipated to rebound through various new government initiatives including boosting rural tourism.

With its abundant natural and cultural resources, the Asia-Pacific region has many growth opportunities in the tourism sector. However, the region faces various challenges that include establishing sustainable businesses with limited infrastructure and finance, attracting and retaining travelers amid competition from other destinations, and adapting to the digital era and a drastically changed post pandemic environment. Many rural communities lack experience and knowledge in developing unique solutions to overcome these challenges, and they rely on initiatives by the government and tourism industry. Capacity development at the rural community level is thus required.

This workshop will showcase innovative rural tourism business models to strengthen rural development and discuss how such models could be applied across APO members. This is in line with the APO Vision 2025 and its commitment to developing productive, sustainable, inclusive rural tourism as an approach for rural development.

For more details please click on PN.