Title: Sustainable rural tourism development based on agricultural resources: the eco-inn initiative in Taiwan

Authors: Nae-Wen Kuo

Addresses: Graduate Institute of Tourism and Health Science, National Taipei College of Nursing, P.O. Box 22-96, Taipei 10699, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: Rural tourism is often considered an economic alternative for rural areas facing decreasing profits and requiring a second or third economic footing. However, like other tourism activities, rural tourism results in a full range of environmental impacts. In particular, accommodation generates various environmental loadings and should be managed carefully. An eco-inn, the environmentally friendly accommodation based on organic agriculture, is proposed here and the practical experiences from Wan An Village are examined. According to the results, the idea of eco-inn is feasible, and it may suit not only in Taiwan but also other countries. In summary, an eco-inn is not only beneficial to environment, host community, and tourists, but also can contribute to sustainable development in rural areas such as eco-village formations.

Keywords: rural tourism; eco-inns; organic agriculture; ecotourism; sustainable tourism; sustainability; sustainable development; environmentally friendly accommodation; Taiwan; eco-villages.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2008.018327

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2008 Vol.7 No.3, pp.229 - 242

Published online: 15 May 2008 *

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