Problem definition
Discuss about the Segmentation Motivation Rural Tourism Activities.
The main purpose of these two discussion papers is to recognize and analyze the importance of rural tourism in two different areas and to see what are the similarities and the differences in the path of the propagation of the same in both the areas. It is seen from the two discussion papers that rural tourism is one of the most rather the most important activity for promoting economic development on the rural regions, it not only encourages the development of the rural economy but also the using up of the lost working places. There are usually several links that one can find between ecotourism and rural tourism as the main purpose is to uplift the rural areas economically, socially and culturally also keeping in mind the environmental aspects of the rural regions.
Problem definition- The main problem that were identified was the poor economic condition of the rural areas and also the loss of the cultural heritage, the natural uplifting of the rural regions and the different challenges that might be faced in developing the rural areas through rural tourism.
Agenda setting- It is the first step where issues come before the eyes of the Government and are also labelled as matters of utmost importance that are in need of government attention. This can be linked easily to the issue of the development of rural tourism as well. (Saarinen & Lenao 2014, p.363-372).
Policy formulation- The finding out of several alternative measures that could deal with the problem of sustainable development existing in the rural areas. (Komppula 2014, p.361-371). Hence, attempts were made in order to frame and formulate policies for the sustainable rural development and rural tourism.
Decision making-Government took the necessary decisions that are essential for the purpose of solving the problems that are persistent in the rural economies, and finding out the solutions and the process in which those solutions must be implemented.
It includes conducting interviews with the local people including the villager’s and also the farm owners about the changes that they have faced recently or the advantages and disadvantages that they have to come across from this rural tourism development in their areas.
Eurobodalla Shire, known as the land of many seas richly adorned with the coastal beauty of oysters, orchids, sea creatures and the pure sea breeze is a local eco tourist spot located in NSW region of Australia. As records suggest, the urbanization rate has increased a lot during the past few years and it is mainly because of the lack of proper educational and employment opportunities.
Agenda setting
Hence, in order to solve this problem, the agenda set was to train the local people about the usefulness of this project and also providing them with better employment opportunities so that the chances of migration is reduced.
Several policies were made for the proper implementation of the rural development methods, some of it was exercised but it was seen from the policy evaluation system that there were still chances of migration due to the lack of proper training and awareness and rural tourism developmental activities often clashed with the local agricultural practices.
Alpine Shire also is a new endeavor made towards the development of the rural tourism. It has been recognized as the most versatile and valuable cultivable land of the NSW region of Australia. The agenda set to develop this place as a rural tourist spot was almost similar to that of Eurobodalla Shire, but the policy setting and policy implementation has been done in a better way and is seen to be much more successful. It has used Agri Tourism as one of its main promotional activity which has not only attracted a huge number of customers but also has created a good market for the local products.
To begin with both Alpine Shire and Eurobodalla Shire mainly attract the tourists based on the scenic beauties and the view of the beautiful rural landscape. As is seen from both the discussion papers, rural tourism is a very modern concept that has emerged in the recent times that is over the past few years with a very positive approach. It is so because the main motto of rural tourism development is to promote sustainable economic growth in the remote, rural and economically backward regions. Rural tourism brings along with it a huge scope for opening up many new job opportunities for the rural local people (Randelli, Romei & Tortora 2014, p.276-281).
As it was decided that the rural tourism development project will be undertaken in these regions, a large number of villagers had to be trained and properly educated so that they have no difficulty in understanding the whole area of changers that would be taking place around them (Rid, Ezeuduji & Pröbstl-Haider 2014, p.102-116). As there are very frequent cases of sudden closure of the mining and other factories, the villagers often lose their jobs and are forced to leave and migrate from the villages, but with the arrival of this project of rural development, these villagers once again got several new employment opportunities (Saarinen & Lenao 2014, p. 363-372).
Policy formulation
A group of the local villagers were trained with a special art of tree cutting which was needed to create the exteriors and the surrounding gardens of the tourist lodges and the resorts, as a result of which these localities got appointed in a new job role and they could in turn train more number of villagers to work with them but even after promoting these employment opportunities, there have been several cases of migration because many villagers were unable to understand this whole new concept and lacked the patience and the will to adapt to these changes(Jepson & Sharpley 2015, p.1157-1178).
They have also made sure that there is a strong market that promotes and sells the local handmade products to the tourists (Calabrò & Della Spina 2014, p.43-48) similar strategies have also been undertaken in Eurobodalla Shire as well, but still many villagers have left the village, perhaps because of the lack of a strong market and also because of the lack of proper training programs to inculcate among them the usefulness of the rural tourism.
On contrary, Alpine Shire has a different picture. It not only conducts several training and awareness programs but also a large number of events like annual fairs where many people gather in order to by the local products, thus giving a boost to the rural economy and giving them a global platform to expand (Hernández-Maestro & González-Benito 2014,p.83-95).
At the same time there has been the identification of some issues in the Eurobodalla Shire, like there has been a clash between the agricultural activities and the tourism developmental activities (Jepson & Sharpley 2015, p.1157-1178). As there are many cultivable lands located in and around the tourist spot, the local farmers fear that their farmlands might be harmed due to the tourist spot developmental activities (Cornet, 2015,p.29-43.).
On contrary, one can notice that Alpine Shire has promoted Agri-Tourism, by the means of which, they have opened a new and unique arena for the visitors to develop a keen interest in visiting those places from where their food comes and also see the processes involved in the food production.
Moreover, Alpine Shire has an additional advantage as it has been identified as the most versatile agricultural lands of Australia, with fertile soil, moderate rainfall, and fresh air altogether making it a refreshing and ideal place for the tourists. Now coming back to Eurobodalla Shire, another challenge faced is the waterway maintenance and the supply of clear potable water to the local residents and the tourists. As ecotourism is mainly based on the preservation of the cultural heritage, there must be the proper maintenance of the Shire’s heritage as well, particularly in the rural areas which in turn will increase the opportunities for tourism.
Decision making
Alpine Shire on one hand has promoted rural tourism and on the other hand has also opened for many new job and education opportunities for the villagers, as it conducts many seminars and education programs for the local people to develop knowledge on the production of new innovative products.
Similarly, both these places have been successful in providing the tourists with all the necessary facilities related to their accommodation and the site seeing as well. A large number of natural sites seeing like parks, national parks, bird watching, horse riding etc have been set up. But it is also evident from the two discussion papers that, there are still some areas of improvement on which the endeavors of rural tourism have to work upon in the future days.
I have been able to enrich my knowledge a great deal through this analysis regarding the ecotourism and also the different steps involved in preserving and improving the social, cultural and the ecological aspects of the rural tourist spots. Being a part of the tourism industry, this research has helped me immensely to understand about the two beautiful ecotourism spots of Eurobodalla and Alpine Shires which are gradually becoming the favorite ecotourism spots. I find that this present scenario is the scenario of change and diversity (Phillips et al., 2013, p.93-104).
It is a time when the customers are more inclined towards something new and something very unique, in other words, they like to think our of the box. In order to spend their holidays, most of the customers are looking for a calm, quiet, peaceful and refreshing place. This analysis of the rural tourism will now help me to easily reach out to my targeted customers and thus develop a strong customer base.
Conclusion
These regions might be rural in terms of economy and their geographic locations but at the same time; they are richly adorned with natural beauty. In other words, these regions have a great potential for economic development if they are given proper financial aids and are properly managed through the proper channels. As tourism industry is a labor intensive industry, hence it can at once open a huge plethora of opportunities for these economically weak backward regions. Though it is a very newly emerging concept at the same time, it is a plethora of opportunities. The Government must be more active towards the uplifting of the rural tourist spots with new and helpful laws and policies.
Reference list
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Rid, W., Ezeuduji, I.O. and Pröbstl-Haider, U., 2014. Segmentation by motivation for rural tourism activities in The Gambia. Tourism Management, 40, pp.102-116.
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