The role of agrotourism in the development and conversion of rural areas

Agrotourism plays a huge role in the activation of rural areas. Its position and market power affects a number of external components and mechanisms. And although its positive impact on the economic and social development rural areas is noticeable, it also reveals a number of barriers related. An important aspect is to strengthen awareness of local communities concerning benefits resulting from the development of this non-agricultural source of income. Only then it will trigger a multiplier effect that will eventually lead to reduction of unemployment, job cre-ation in sectors serving tourists, revenue growth and will improve both living standard and working conditions of the population actively involved. Improving the visibility of rural values, processing, traditional crafts, rural buildings can become a powerful magnet for tourists, tourists looking for new unconventional forms of recreation. Benefits of the development of rural tourism can become real if there is visible involvement and close cooperation between both - service providers and local authorities (government).     ...

CONCEPT OF THE MULTICRITERIA MODEL OF SPATIAL ANALYSES AS SUPPORT OF SPACE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS

The land consolidation process is a measure transforming the spatial structure of rural areas in the countries of the European Union and Poland. It is a complex, extremely labour-consuming investment process preceded by a detailed inventory of the existing state, and analysis of objectives and tools as well as effects expected after its completion. It should constitute a component of sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas, stimulating the development of functions fulfilled by such areas in the economic, social, and environmental aspect. Through changes in the ownership structure and land use, it permits designation of functional-spatial areas, therefore reducing potential spatial conflicts. It has a positive effect on the development of agriculture, and particularly ecological production, and other non-agricultural functions.The article presents a concept of the multicriteria model of spatial analyses aimed at supporting sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas, with particular consideration of the land consolidation process. The concept of the model was prepared in accordance with the assumptions of the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. This permitted ordering the rich resource of diverse input data in a logical structure for the purpose of development of multi-variant solutions to a given decision problem , and selection of ...