Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Chadley Richard Hollas, M.S., is an independent researcher and tourism development consultant currently based in Vermont, USA. His consultations and research concern tourism, rural development, and the empowerment of communities within the context of tourism. He previously worked in hotels, and consulted on events, across the USA and abroad.

Lisa Chase, Ph.D. is Extension Professor and Director of the Vermont Tourism Research Center. For the past 18 years, she has conducted research and outreach at the intersection of community development and ecosystem services, with a focus on agritourism. Prior to working in Vermont, Lisa conducted research and outreach in New York, Colorado, Costa Rica and Ecuador, among other places.

Abstract (150 Words)

In the ever-changing economies of tourism, individual-led efforts such as agritourism have the potential to bring social and economic benefit to rural destinations, building more resilient communities. In post-COVID tourism, this is especially true as travelers find comfort in outdoor, physically-distanced activities. However, few large-scale studies have explored the qualities of successful agritourism operations and their perceived barriers, challenges, and successes.

In this presentation, we share the results of a 2019 national survey of agritourism operators throughout the US. The survey questions built on results from qualitative research on agritourism and were focused on products and activities offered, operator motivations, challenges and successes, and perceived economic performance. The survey responses gave insight into the positive outlook for agritourism in the United States. In our proposed 15-minute presentation, we will report on on these findings and conclude with implications for future research, policy and outreach favoring rural tourism operators.

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Agritourism: Challenges and opportunities for the rural future

In the ever-changing economies of tourism, individual-led efforts such as agritourism have the potential to bring social and economic benefit to rural destinations, building more resilient communities. In post-COVID tourism, this is especially true as travelers find comfort in outdoor, physically-distanced activities. However, few large-scale studies have explored the qualities of successful agritourism operations and their perceived barriers, challenges, and successes.

In this presentation, we share the results of a 2019 national survey of agritourism operators throughout the US. The survey questions built on results from qualitative research on agritourism and were focused on products and activities offered, operator motivations, challenges and successes, and perceived economic performance. The survey responses gave insight into the positive outlook for agritourism in the United States. In our proposed 15-minute presentation, we will report on on these findings and conclude with implications for future research, policy and outreach favoring rural tourism operators.