ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the unique attributes of agriculture and tourism, including common economic development strategies and how they support rural development. Tourism can also be defined from the tourist's perspective, emphasizing the experiential nature of visiting foreign or exotic places. Agriculture is defined as the science or practice of farming and ranching, including cultivating the soil for growing crops and the rearing of animals to provide food and other products. New strategies to increase the profitability of small farms take advantage of consumer demand for local food through direct market sales, which allow farmers to sell their products directly to consumers. Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Food tourism is generally defined as a tourist's "desire to experience a particular type of food or the produce of a specific region".
