Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Agricultural Heritage Systems Tourism: definition, characteristics and development framework

  • Published:
Journal of Mountain Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agricultural Heritage Systems Tourism (AHST) has increased considerably in the past ten years and is projected to continue growing in the future. Despite such growth, there is not a shared understanding of many aspects of the tourism development framework for all kinds of agricultural heritage sites. Given that meanings and characteristics are critical to determining the appeal of a particular activity among tourism consumers and because the development directions of AHST are essential for achieving heritage conservation goals, a study was conducted in 2014–2015 to assess stakeholder preferences for definitional phrases and their perceptions. This manuscript summarizes the characteristics of AHST in four aspects, taking agricultural heritage systems in China as examples: 1) synthesis of agritourism, cultural heritage tourism, and ecotourism; 2) annual variation of tourism attractions and activities; 3) the dominant role of artisan farmers; 4) the unique gastronomic experiences of traditional food. Finally, there are some objectives offered by this research from economic, environmental, cultural, social and political perspectives to build a framework of AHST according to its features and characteristics. Based on environmental and cultural objectives, with political and social support, through reaching the core objectives of economic development, AHST will be sustainable and agricultural heritage systems will be well conserved. This study carries important implications for the further applications of AHST.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agnoletti M (2014) Rural landscape, nature conservation and culture: some notes on research trends and management approaches from a (southern) European perspective. Landscape and Urban Planning 126: 66–73. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.02.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bessière J (1998) Local development and heritage: Traditional food and cuisine as tourist attractions in rural areas. Sociologia Ruralis 38: 21–34. DOI: 10.1111/1467-9523.00061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen BX and Qiu ZM (2013) Green tourism in Japan: opportunities for a GIAHS pilot site. Journal of Resources and Ecology 4(3): 285–292. DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2013. 03.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clements MA (1989) Selecting tourist traffic by demarketing. Tourism Management 10(2): 89–94. DOI: 10.1016/0261-5177(89)90048-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eduardo G, Bárbara A, Martha B, et al. (2007) Biodiversity conservation, traditional agriculture and ecotourism: Land cover/land use change projections for a natural protected area in the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Landscape and Urban Planning 83(2-3): 137–153. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.03.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) (2008) Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Available online at: http://www.fao.org/sd/giahs (Accessed on 6 April 2013).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert DC (1990) Conceptual issues in the meaning of tourism. Progress in tourism, recreation and hospitality management. Belhaven Press, Hants, UK. pp 4–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjalager A (1996) Agricultural diversification into tourism: Evidence of a European community development programme. Tourism Management 17(2): 103–111. DOI: 10.1016/0261-5177(95)00113-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He L, Min QW (2013) The role of muti-functionality of agriculture in sustainable tourism development in Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites in China. Journal of Resources and Ecology 4(3): 250–257. DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2013.03.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansen-Verbeke M, Priestley GK, Russo AP (2008) Cultural Resource for Tourism: Patterns, Processes and Policies. Nova Science Publishers, New York, USA. pp 115–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen-Verbeke M, Mckercher B (2013) Reflections on the myth of tourism preserving “traditional” agricultural landscapes. Journal of Resources and Ecology 4(3): 242–249. DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2013.03.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kausar D, Nishikawa Y (2010) Heritage Tourism in Rural Areas: Challenges for Improving Socio-economic Impacts, Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research 15 (2):195–213. DOI: 10.1080/10941661003629995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim M, Lee H, Kim M, et al. (2014) Wastewater retreatment and reuse system for agricultural irrigation in rural villages. Water Science & Technology 70: 1961–1968. DOI: 10.2166/wst. 2014.430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane B (2009) Rural tourism: an overview. The SAGE Handbook of Tourism Studies. Sage Publications, London, UK. pp 354–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long P, Lane B, Gartner WC, et al. (2000) Rural tourism development. Trends in Outdoor Recreation, Leisure and Tourism. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. pp 299–308. DOI: 10.1079/9780851994031.0299

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lu XL, Wu CY, Holly D (2006) Conceptualizing Ecotourism from a distinct criteria approach by using content analysis. Acta Ecologica Sinica 26(4): 1213–1220. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marie S (2009) Local participation in cultural landscape maintenance: Lessons from Sweden. Land Use Policy 26: 214–223. DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.01.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massound MA, Tarhini A, Nasr JA (2009) Decentralized approaches to wastewater treatment and management: Applicability in developing countries. Journal of Environmental Management 90: 652–659. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.07.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Min QW, Sun YH, Chen SK, et al. (2007) Primary study on the features and development of GIAHS’s tourism resources. Economic Geography 27(5): 856–859. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pérez E A, Nadal J R (2005) Host community perceptions: A cluster analysis. Annals of Tourism Research 32(4): 925–941. DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2004.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillip S, Hunter C, Blackstock K (2010) A typology for defining agritourism. Tourism Management 31: 754–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie J, Spencer L, O’Connor W (2003) Carrying out qualitative analysis. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. SAGE Publications, London, UK. pp 219–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rössler M (2005) UNESCO World Heritage Centre Background Document on UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscapes. Prepared for the FAO Workshop and Steering Committee Meeting of the GIAHS Project. Available online at: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/giahs/docs/GIA HS%20Strategic%20Framework.pdf (Accessed on 15 December 2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan GW, Bernard HR (2000) Data Management and Analysis Methods. In: Handbook of Qualitative Research, 2nd Edition. SAGE Publications, California, USA. pp 23–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saveriades A (2000) Establishing the social tourism carrying capacity for the tourist resorts of the east coast of the Republic of Cyprus. Tourism Management 21(2): 147–156. DOI: 10.1016/S0261-5177(99)00044-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sim R (2009) Food, place and authenticity: local food and the sustainable tourism experience. Journal of sustainable tourism 17(3): 321–336. DOI: 10.1080/09669580802359293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singletary M (1993) Mass Communication Research: Contemporary Methods and Application. Publisher: Longman Pub Group; Facsimile edition, New York, USA. pp 54–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snape D, Spencer L (2003) The foundations of qualitative research. Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers, SAGE Publications, London, UK. pp 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun YH, Min QW, Chen SK (2009) Residents’ attitudes towards tourism in a globally important agricultural heritage systems pilot site: a case study in China. Chinese Journal of Population, Resources and Environment 7(1): 37–46. DOI: 10.1080/10042857.2009.10684908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YH, Jansen-Verbeke M, Min QW, et al. (2011) Tourism potential of agricultural heritage systems. Tourism Geographies 13(1): 112–128. DOI: 10.1080/14616688.2010.516400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YH, Wang J, Liu MC (2013a) Community perspective to agricultural heritage conservation and tourism development. Journal of Resources and Ecology 4(3): 258–266. DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2013.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YH, Mary J, Min QW, et al. (2013b) Conserving agricultural heritage systems through tourism exploration of two mountainous communities in China. Journal of Mountain Science 10(6): 962–975. DOI: 10.1007/s11629-013-2632-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang XY, Min QW, Wu Z (2010) An investigation of residents’ perception on tourism in Agro-cultural heritage community. Resources Science, 32(6): 1035–1041. (In Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, XY (2012) Tourism development of communities in agricultural heritage sites. Tourism education press, Beijing, China. pp82–91 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Telfer DJ, Wall G (1996) Linkage between tourism and food production, Annals of tourism research 23(3): 635–653. DOI: 10.1016/0160-7383(95)00087-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian M, Min QW, Tao H, et al. (2014) Progress and prospects in tourism research on agricultural heritage sites. Journal of Resources and Ecology 5(4): 381–389. DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2014.04.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian M, Min QW, Lun F, et al. (2015) Evaluation of Tourism Water Capacity in Agricultural Heritage Sites. Sustainability 7: 15548–15569. DOI: 10.3390/su71115548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres R, Momsen J (2004) Challenges and potential for linking tourism and agriculture to achieve pro-poor tourism objectives. Progress in Development Studies 4(4): 294–318. DOI: 10.1191/1464993404ps092oa

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vafadari K (2012) Rural tourism and preservation of landscapes in Japan: a spotlight on Satoyama in the Noto Peninsula. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism 10(2): 87–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veeck G, Che D, Veeck A (2006) America’s changing farmscape: a study of agriculture tourism in Michigan. The professional geographer 58(3): 235–248. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9272.2006.00565.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Min Q, Wu D, et al. (2006) Tourism research on Globally-important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)—A case study on traditional rice-fish agriculture of Qingtian. Areal Research and Development 25(5): 63–67. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) (2009) Tourism Highlights. Available online at: http://www.unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/highligts/UNWTO_Highlights09_en_HR. (Accessed on 23 May 2013)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Mi Tian, Qing-wen Min, Wen-jun Jiao, Zheng Yuan, Anthony M. Fuller, Lun Yang & Yong-xun Zhang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Mi Tian, Lun Yang & Yong-xun Zhang

  3. School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H2W1, Canada

    Anthony M. Fuller

  4. Administration of World Heritage in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Mengzi, 661100, China

    Jie Zhou

  5. School of International Education and Exchange, Guilin Tourism University, Guilin, 541000, China

    Bing Cheng

Authors
  1. Mi Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qing-wen Min
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wen-jun Jiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zheng Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anthony M. Fuller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lun Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yong-xun Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jie Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Bing Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qing-wen Min.

Additional information

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7953-558X

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1029-292X

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5458-0440

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0271-4125

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0513-1870

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7284-5377

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6099-3591

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5985-6020

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7043-6016

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tian, M., Min, Qw., Jiao, Wj. et al. Agricultural Heritage Systems Tourism: definition, characteristics and development framework. J. Mt. Sci. 13, 440–454 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-015-3724-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-015-3724-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation