Agritourism and local economic development in South Africa
Agritourism and local economic development in South Africa

Summary/Abstract: The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topicof critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourismis a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of researchissues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandateof local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growingbody of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have beenoverlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which istargeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of internationalscholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implicationsfor LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presentedwhich shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significancefor small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourismspaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driverfor LED in South Africa.

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