Rural Tourism

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Rural Tourism Getting High Marks Among the Tourist Crowd

H ave you ever wondered why rural tourism is getting high marks among the tourist crowd? Country sides can be the last hold out against cola, jeans, Toyotas and Chelsea. As cities homogenize cultures and people, every other destination looks similar. If you want to celebrate the fantastic differences among 7 plus billion people fitting into the world, target rural tourism and the country side.

Small villages and farming communities still provide a great peek into histories and not just of other cultures, but of our own community of humans, where major chunks are still occupied by indigenous people who haven't discovered Twinkies, Cheeze Whiz or Max Factor. Rural tourism is a growth industry. It is not just farm stays. That's different. Rural tourism includes a variety of activities depending on your interest, capabilities and experience.

Look at some of these experiences in rural tourism

Experience some of these

IMG_1086 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1073 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1059 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1057 by Lee Fenner
IMG_0970 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1058 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1082 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1121.JPG by Lee Fenner
IMG_1090 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1052 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1088 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1118 by Lee Fenner
IMG_1114 by Lee Fenner
Taller Internet (Guadalajara Workshop) by planeta
Puszta show IV by tillwe
Puszta show I by tillwe
Puszta show VI by tillwe
Puszta show V by tillwe
Puszta show II by tillwe
Sheep  (with long horns) by tillwe
One sheep by tillwe
Puszta show III by tillwe
Manor window by tillwe
Cow-watching by tillwe
automatically generated by Flickr

Bring your comfortable walking shoes

To enjoy walks in the rural areas

New Balance Men's MW846 Walking Shoe,White,11.5 4E

New Balance Men's MW846 Walking Shoe,White,11.5 4E

The New Balance 846 is the ultimate walking shoe f more...0 points

Rockport Men's World Tour Classic Walking Shoe,Brown,11 M

Rockport Men's World Tour Classic Walking Shoe,Brown,11 M

The WT Classic casual shoe for men from Rockport® more...0 points

Saucony Men's Grid Omni Walking Shoe,White/Silver,9 W

Saucony Men's Grid Omni Walking Shoe,White/Silver,9 W

This extremely comfortable and plush shoe has the more...0 points

New Balance Men's MW927 Walking Shoe,White,10 2E US

New Balance Men's MW927 Walking Shoe,White,10 2E US

This New Balance 927WS is a lighter, leather/mesh more...0 points

New Balance Women's WW646 Outdoor Country Walking Shoe,Grey,7.5 D US

New Balance Women's WW646 Outdoor Country Walking Shoe,Grey,7.5 D US

For long walks down morning lit roads or through s more...0 points

ASICS Women's GEL-4-to-8 Walking Shoe,White/Silver/Pink,8 B US

ASICS Women's GEL-4-to-8 Walking Shoe,White/Silver/Pink,8 B US

The Asics GEL-4-8 women's walking shoes aren't som more...0 points

Ryka Women's Transition Fitness Shoe,Black/Dark Grey/Dark Pink,8 M US

Ryka Women's Transition Fitness Shoe,Black/Dark Grey/Dark Pink,8 M US

Low-profile performance brings all of your studio more...0 points

New Balance Men's MW967 Country Walking Shoe,Brown,10 D

New Balance Men's MW967 Country Walking Shoe,Brown,10 D

The New Balance 967 is a rugged Country Walker fea more...0 points

New Balance Women's WW1645 Toning Shoe,Taupe,7 B US

New Balance Women's WW1645 Toning Shoe,Taupe,7 B US

Walk it out with the New Balance The 1645Rock & more...0 points

New Balance Women's WW850 True Balance Toning Shoe,Grey/Pink,8.5 B US

New Balance Women's WW850 True Balance Toning Shoe,Grey/Pink,8.5 B US

Crafted with the TrueBalance system in place, the more...0 points

New Balance Women's WW1100 Toning Shoe,Beige/Pink,8 B US

New Balance Women's WW1100 Toning Shoe,Beige/Pink,8 B US

Fun and Playful Shoes by New Balance,Synthetic/Mes more...0 points

ASICS Women's GEL-Foundation Walker Walking Shoe,Black/Black,9.5 B US

ASICS Women's GEL-Foundation Walker Walking Shoe,Black/Black,9.5 B US

This walking shoe combines plenty of cushioning wi more...0 points

New Balance Men's MW846 Walking Shoe,White,10 2E

New Balance Men's MW846 Walking Shoe,White,10 2E

The New Balance 846 is the ultimate walking shoe f more...0 points

Start with agro-tourism

Visit a small rural village

Y ou can start with agro-tourism as some organizers call it. Visit a village and know the plants, fruits, trees, flowers and animals that are typical of that place. Try eating some of those exotic fruits you have never tried before. Watch people plant rice and help them.

This small village trend is becoming so popular that guess what? It has now become a planned activity by many villages all over the world. So, if you want to see reality and not a stage play of actors by firelight, start turning your radar towards the still unexplored territories.

Rural Tourism programs

Work and Celebrate with Local Folks

Bring your camcorder

Documents your trip to the rural areas

You will surely have experience that are unique that you want to document. This way you remember the people you encountered and hear their actual stories.
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Rural village tours

Have you done this?

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Bring a good camera for your rural trek

Here are good choices

Don't miss those one in a lifetime pictures.
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And remember to protect your camera

Here are some choices

Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage (Black)

Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage (Black)

The Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case w more...0 points

Case for Sony Cyber-Shot Digital Cameras

Case for Sony Cyber-Shot Digital Cameras

100% Brand new high quality camera case for Sony Cyber-Shot more...0 points

Lowepro Ridge 10 Camera Case (Black)

Lowepro Ridge 10 Camera Case (Black)

The Ridge camera pouches by Lowepro combine brilli more...0 points

Case Logic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling (Black)

Case Logic SLRC-205 SLR Camera Sling (Black)

This SLR sling was designed to keep you ready to s more...0 points

Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage (Orange)

Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case with Storage (Orange)

The Case Logic TBC-302 Ultra Compact Camera Case w more...0 points

Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 and ELPH 300 HS - Leather Case Logic COMPACT Camera Case (Black)

Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 and ELPH 300 HS - Leather Case Logic COMPACT Camera Case (Black)

A stylish digital camera demands stylish protectio more...0 points

Blue Case for Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras

Blue Case for Nikon Coolpix Digital Cameras

Please note: while this case fits many models we c more...0 points

Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case (Red)

Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case (Red)

The Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case is compa more...0 points

Olympus Neoprene Soft Digital Camera Case

Olympus Neoprene Soft Digital Camera Case

OLYMPUS 202066 Neoprene Case (Gray)0 points

Hard Case for Kodak EasyShare Digital Cameras

Hard Case for Kodak EasyShare Digital Cameras

Hard Case for Kodak EasyShare Digital Cameras0 points

Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case (Blue)

Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case (Blue)

The Case Logic UNZB-2 Compact Camera Case is compa more...0 points

Case Logic TBC-301 Ultra Compact Camera Case (Black)

Case Logic TBC-301 Ultra Compact Camera Case (Black)

The Case Logic TBC-301 Ultra Compact Camera Case ( more...0 points

Lowepro Edit 110 Camcorder and Camera Bag

Lowepro Edit 110 Camcorder and Camera Bag

More compact, these Edit bags boast the same featu more...0 points

FujiFilm S-Series Deluxe Padded Nylon Digital Camera Case

FujiFilm S-Series Deluxe Padded Nylon Digital Camera Case

Designed to hold select Fujifilm S-Series Digital Cameras more...0 points

Canon PSC-55 Deluxe Leather Compact Case for SD430, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700IS, SD800IS, SD850 IS, SD900,SD950IS & SD870IS Digital Cameras

Canon PSC-55 Deluxe Leather Compact Case for SD430, SD500, SD550, SD600, SD630, SD700IS, SD800IS, SD850 IS, SD900,SD950IS & SD870IS Digital Cameras

Digital Camera Accessories, Canon, PSC-55 Leather more...0 points

Case Logic QPB-201 EVA Molded Compact Camera Case (Red)

Case Logic QPB-201 EVA Molded Compact Camera Case (Red)

The Case Logic QPB-201 EVA Molded Compact Camera C more...0 points

Kodak 1972736 Hard Camera Case (Black)

Kodak 1972736 Hard Camera Case (Black)

Kodak 1972736 Hard Camera Case (Black)0 points

Black Digital Camera Case Bag Cover Pouch for Nikon CoolPix S3000, S3100, L20, L22, S1000pj, S220, S4000, S4100, S6000, S630, S640, S570, S230, S70

Black Digital Camera Case Bag Cover Pouch for Nikon CoolPix S3000, S3100, L20, L22, S1000pj, S220, S4000, S4100, S6000, S630, S640, S570, S230, S70

Luxuriate your camera with our sleek new Mivizu n more...0 points

How to Arrange Rural Tourism

Check out community based tourism sites

I nterested? Excited? Challenged? Hold on. Before you plunge yourself into the experience, make sure that you fully trust and know the people making arrangements for you. Most countries have great local agents to set these up. But check them out with others you know. Many will give references on their web sites and if that is too remote find (on the net) a great small hotel in the major city close to the area you want to visit. Get them working for you. Always have an exit plan in place before you venture into one of these. But enjoy the surprises.and watch those chillies!

Make sure to have your travel journal

Document your unique experiences

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Rural Tourism Activities

1: Home Stay in a Rural Area

You Have Your Host Family

I n some villages, home stays are offered to tourists so they get to have a glimpse of the way folks really live in the countries they visit. Usually, accommodations are in individual guest rooms with host families or in cold weather where there is only one room with fire for heat, then, a spread mattress in the area where the family stretches out for the night. These places are usually selected by a local authority or a local group to provide clean accommodation and food from local produce cooked up in the traditional manner. Wow, heck for chillies! Actually, it's usually toned down a tad for the ferenghi!

Home Stay

Something to try

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Bring your hats

The sun can be really strong

I always carry a hat when I go out of town as the sun can really be strong in many rural communities and there are not too many things to buy there or borrow. Often, the locals will do without and give you their own hats. So be prepared.

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2: Village Trek

Visit Villages Off the Beaten Path

T his is another popular rural tourism activity as people are interested in visiting villages off the beaten path that have not yet been hammered by Starbucks or Mr. Submarine. You get to visit the places that the villagers consider central to their traditions such as the places of worship or if you happen to be in the vicinity of beautiful parks and mountains, then, you get to visit these with local guides. You then get a really intense appreciation and understanding of these places.

3: Attend Rural Traditional Festivities

Celebrate Local Traditions in Rural Areas

N ot every tourist appreciates being that close to the locals so you can have a taste of rural tourism by attending some of the local events especially the really big ones. This way, you can mingle with the locals without really living with them, still hear the music, chew on the grilled corn and drink the local homebrew.

Some of the religious festivals may require that you dress properly and respect the rituals of the people. Some could be really gory but most are colorful and fun to watch.

Always carry a tote bag when you go to rural places

Eliminate over packaging

When I go to the rural areas, I try to always put one inside my purse so when I buy something, I can say no to those plastic bags.
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4: Volunteer in Rural Areas

Visit, Stay and Volunteer

S hare the life of the people in very remote areas. Access may be a day long walk to town. This takes a bit of backbone but the payoffs can change your life. This kind of rural tourism gives you a better understanding of local peoples' practices. This is better done in villages with very interesting customs and traditions that you have no clue about and are so different from your own.

Many tourists have some experiences of building wells or school building or a community building and other basic facilities. Some help villages with language teaching to improve tourism or farming ideas or irrigation or child and sick patient care.

Here's a lens of the day selection on a remote area you need to visit

Take a peek...it is fabulous...just given a purple star

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The Benefits of Rural Tourism

These are some of the benefits:

1. Generates employment and income for the residents of remote villages. This is most especially beneficial to women who often have no new opportunities to earn income away from home.

2. Creates a market and appreciation for local products and services..and keeps them alive

3. Encourages conservation and care of natural resources such as the rivers, forests, mountains as well as local fauna and flora, birds, fish and almost extinct animals. When these are valued as living assets to attract income, they are cared for.

4. Provides incentives to preserve some of the old customs and traditions, crafts, traditional festivals, architecture, food and other practices unique to certain cultures.

5. Given that services are often provided by residents of the village, rural tourism benefits the village in that there is greater cooperation among villagers as they operate the local enterprise of providing for the tourists.

6. Provides opportunities for mutual sharing of cultures. Hopefully, these encounters will result in greater understanding among peoples and closer ties to the global family.

7. Helps slow urban drift as it gives a better economic future for families in rural areas.
Slows you down and makes you check your values and assumptions. What is progress? Who is better off? What are the trade-offs we've made? What on earth am I doing?

Get these for your travel

You will need these in rural areas

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5: Skills Training in Rural Areas

Share your Skills

One of the best ways to experience rural tourism is to volunteer to share your skills. You will have the rare chance of sharing the life of the rural folks at the same time share what you know and enable them to live a better quality life. VSO, the British organization is very good at organizing this and supporting your stint in some remote places which need the skills you have.

Here is an example of such a program where one can easily share skills.

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Rural tourism experience

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Experience in Rural Tourism

Learn from what others are doing

Rural Tourism in Andalusia
by comunicacionraar | video info

3 ratings | 1,971 views
curated content from YouTube

Rural Tourism

A Growing Trend

This is now a growing trend in tours. Tours are organized to see local produce, unique flora and fauna, taste exotic fruits. But over and beyond this, you can make your own connections. Read about what is going on so you are aware of alternatives.
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More books on rural tourism

Interesting read for those keen on rural tourism

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Rural Tourism and Commercialization

What do you think?

Is rural tourism commercializing the simple village life?

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Yes, it is damaging the rural villages

No, it is helping these villages develop

 

Want more information on rural tourism?

Here are some choices

If you have read any of these books, please recommend by voting for it so our readers get to know which books would be more useful. Thank you.

Sustaining Identity, Recapturing Heritage: Exploring Issues of Public History, Tourism, and Race in a Southern Rural Town by Ann E. Denkler

Sustaining Identity, Recapturing Heritage: Exploring Issues of Public History, Tourism, and Race in a Southern Rural Town by Ann E. Denkler

Sustaining Identity, Recapturing Heritage examines more...0 points

Rural Tourism and Recreation:

Rural Tourism and Recreation:

The decline in agricultural and other forms of rur more...0 points

Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change (Tourism and Cultural Change) by E. Wanda George, Heather Mair, Donald G. Reid

Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change (Tourism and Cultural Change) by E. Wanda George, Heather Mair, Donald G. Reid

Forces of economic, social, cultural, environmenta more...0 points

The View From Vermont: Tourism and the Making of an American Rural Landscape by Blake Harrison

The View From Vermont: Tourism and the Making of an American Rural Landscape by Blake Harrison

With its small native population, proximity to maj more...0 points

Sustainable Tourism in Rural Europe: Approaches to Development (Advances in Tourism)

Sustainable Tourism in Rural Europe: Approaches to Development (Advances in Tourism)

Rural Europe is a highly developed tourism region, more...0 points

Tourism and Recreation in Rural Areas

Tourism and Recreation in Rural Areas

Recent years have witnessed a change from the passive, more...0 points

Food, Agri-Culture and Tourism: Linking Local Gastronomy and Rural Tourism: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (English, German and Italian Edition)

Food, Agri-Culture and Tourism: Linking Local Gastronomy and Rural Tourism: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (English, German and Italian Edition)

This book will be a valuable source of information more...0 points

New Directions in Rural Tourism (New Directions in Tourism Analysis)

New Directions in Rural Tourism (New Directions in Tourism Analysis)

Although there has been an increasing interest in more...0 points

Tourism In Peripheral Areas:case Studies (Aspects of Tourism, 2) by Frances Brown

Tourism In Peripheral Areas:case Studies (Aspects of Tourism, 2) by Frances Brown

A collection of case studies of tourism in a varie more...0 points

Festival Places: Revitalising Rural Australia (Toursim and Cultural Change)

Festival Places: Revitalising Rural Australia (Toursim and Cultural Change)

Festivals have burgeoned in rural areas, revitalis more...0 points

The Business of Rural Tourism: International Perspectives by Don Getz, Stephen Page

The Business of Rural Tourism: International Perspectives by Don Getz, Stephen Page

This text explores the business opportunities and more...0 points

Rural Tourism And Sustainable Business (Aspects of Tourism) by Derek Hall

Rural Tourism And Sustainable Business (Aspects of Tourism) by Derek Hall

This is a structured, edited book of nineteen chap more...0 points

An angel blessed this lens

The rural world rejoiced

p align="center">Angels Making Music; Left Panel of a Triptych


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The angel who blessed this lens on rural tourism

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These are always handy for the rural areas

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Hi there. I see a bit of goodness in everything. I see world events in the context of the great things that happen, not the niggly faults that hound us... more »

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Rural Tourism 

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Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change (Tourism and Cultural Change)

Amazon Price: $31.80 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This book is your best guide to developing your own rural tourism program.