Title: Agritourism activity participation motivation in Kentucky

Authors: Desmond O. Brown; Jason R. Swanson

Addresses: Department of Retailing and Tourism Management, University of Kentucky, 317 Erikson Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0050, USA ' Department of Retailing and Tourism Management, University of Kentucky, 317 Erikson Hall, Lexington, KY 40506-0050, USA

Abstract: As small farmers face economic difficulties resulting from lower demand for tobacco and other traditionally reliable cash crops, many family farmers are looking to agritourism to sustain their livelihood. This exploratory study investigates the level of current agritourism entrepreneurship among Kentucky farm families in order to better understand the relationship between tourism and agriculture in the commonwealth of Kentucky. Data for this study was collected in the summer of 2008 via a telephone survey of Kentucky households using a modified list-assisted Waksberg-Mitofsky random-digit dialling procedure. The results indicate that while there is some awareness of agritourism among Kentucky farmers, much work needs to be done to boost the idea and practice. This study indicates that interest in agritourism is growing, especially in 'pick your own produce' activities.

Keywords: Kentucky; agritourism activities; rural development; agritourism entrepreneurship; activity participation; tourist motivation; USA; United States; tourism; agriculture; farmers; pick your own produce.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHEM.2014.066988

International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management, 2014 Vol.1 No.2, pp.135 - 146

Received: 20 Jun 2013
Accepted: 20 Dec 2013

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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