Rural Tourism from a Comparative Perspective
In the framework of WP2 – Joint Research Activities, Agri Tour partners conducted a comprehensive research study that has now resulted in its first scientific publication. The findings contribute to Deliverable 2.2: Scientific Research on the Empowerment of Agritourism in the Pacific Ocean and have been published in the journal Encyclopedia (2026).
The paper, “Rural Tourism from a Comparative Perspective: Trends in Europe and Oceania”, provides a narrative review of the evolution of rural tourism from the mid-20th century to the present. It analyses how rural tourism has shifted from an economic survival strategy into a strategic pillar of sustainable regional development.
The article explores several key dimensions:
The transition from mass tourism toward experiential and immersive travel
The growing importance of authenticity, community engagement, and sustainability
The increasing role of gastronomy as a cultural anchor in rural destinations
The need for digital literacy and ecological competencies among rural tourism operators
Europe and Oceania: Two Developmental Paths
A central contribution of the article is the comparative analysis between Europe and Oceania, highlighting two distinct models of rural tourism development:
Europe: A policy-driven, institutionalised model rooted in rural development programmes and heritage preservation.
Oceania: A market-driven, resilience-based model shaped by large-scale landscapes, indigenous heritage, and economic diversification.
The analysis shows that despite structural differences, both regions converge around shared priorities: sustainability, authenticity, regenerative tourism, and improved digital capacities.
Relevance for the Pacific Context
For Agri Tour, this publication provides a strong conceptual and comparative framework for understanding agritourism development in Pacific Island Countries. It supports the project’s objectives by:
Clarifying global trends that influence agritourism
Identifying competence gaps related to digitalisation and eco-effectiveness
Providing a research-based foundation for the development of digital courses and capacity-building activities
The publication represents an important milestone in strengthening the academic dimension of Agri Tour and reinforcing EU–Pacific cooperation in sustainable agritourism research.
