Global challanges and rural/agritourism
We are currently about 7.6 billion people sharing this earth. By 2050, the world's population is projected to increase to 9.8 billion people.[1] This involves a number of challenges of which two are creating jobs and producing enough food in a sustainable way.
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The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that the world’s food production needs to increase by 70% until 2050, and that 520 million jobs need to be created by 2030, especially in rural areas. At present time, 2 in 5 workers are working within the rural economy, whilst rural areas are affected by climate change. The ILO sees rural areas as key to facing these challenges in a sustainable way, and they see diversification of the rural economy as one important way forward.[2]
Why is this relevant to rural- and agritourism?
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Rural tourism, and especially agritourism is an industry which is deeply connected to these challenges. Rural areas and farms are where most of our food production takes place. Simultaneously, it’s becoming more difficult to live and sustain an income in such areas and by being a farmer. This is where rural tourism and agritourism comes in as an opportunity.
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Rural or agritourism is a way for food producers, such as farms, to diversify their business in order to sustain their economy.
Attracting people to a rural area can also support other businesses, create more jobs and encourage entrepreneurship, creating better opportunities for people to sustain a living there. Although, one disadvantage connected to agritourism is when agricultural land is used for tourism instead of producing food. This is counterproductive to the need of producing enough food for a growing population.
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Reference list
[1] United Nations. (2017). World population projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion in 2100. Available:https://www.un.org/en/desa/world-population-projected-reach-98-billion-2050-and-112-billion-2100
[2] International Labour Organisation. (2019). The future of work in the rural economy: More decent work to revitalize rural economies. [Infographic published 06 December 2019]. Available: https://www.ilo.org/global/docs/WCMS_731693/lang--en/index.htm