ABSTRACT
In the context of globalisation there is increasing dissatisfaction with current top-down models of development necessitating self-reliance at the community level. Trends in tourism literature have mirrored trends in development literature, with both placing increased emphasis on involvement at the local level. In order to evaluate the potential of agritourism generating community development, the initiatives taken by the residents of the village of Bangunkerto, Indonesia are examined. Located in the highly productive agricultural lands of central Java, Indonesia, the community is utilising local resources to attract tourists and promote development. Altering their production to the more profitable salak crop, the villagers have established a plantation centre for tourists. In order to get an understanding of how their lives have changed since the introduction of tourism and the adoption of salak as the dominant crop, thirty-seven area farmers were interviewed. This chapter will initially examine the changes in development theory and consider how these trends have been reflected in tourism research and planning. The chapter will then attempt to answer the question through the investigation of the case study, is agritourism a path to community development?
