Agrotourism as an instrument of sustainable development of the rural economy: A case study of Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing the success of agrotourism as a sustainable rural development strategy in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 200 respondents, including agrotourism operators, community members, and policymakers, and analyzed with logistic regression. The findings highlight that tertiary education, community participation, farm size, sustainability practices, and tourist volume significantly impact success, while age shows a negative correlation. Specifically, 60% of tertiary-education operators leveraged innovative marketing and sustainable farming techniques, achieving higher success rates. Community participation emerged as the strongest predictor (odds ratio = 6.126), with farms engaging local communities, attracting an average of 820 tourists annually and generating notable revenue. Larger farms (mean size = 12.3 hectares) succeeded by offering diverse activities, while eco-friendly practices (mean sustainability index score = 3.8 out of 5) appealed to environmentally conscious tourists. Older operators (mean age = 45.2 years) faced challenges adopting digital tools, highlighting the need for tailored capacity-building programs. Additionally, the study explores the unique opportunities and challenges presented by mountainous terrain, which offers potential for eco-tourism due to its natural beauty and biodiversity but requires targeted infrastructure investments and conservation efforts. The study recommends educational initiatives, community-based tourism promotion, financial incentives for sustainability, and improved infrastructure to enhance accessibility.