Stručni rad
EKOLOŠKA POLJOPRIVREDA I EKOTURIZAM - KOLIKO SU OZBILJNE NAMJERE HRVATSKE?
Nikolina Pelikan Matetić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9231-5311
Z. Pelikan
; ETNOtrend d.o.o., www.macrocruise.com Samobor, Croatia
Sažetak
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the links between organic farming and ecotourism, and their benefits to the tourism industry. It opens by describing Croatia as a destination for environmentally and socially responsible travellers who tend to consume organic food and other environmentally-friendly products. The paper then focuses on the FAO’s view of ecotourism as an opportunity for farmers/foresters to generate additional income. It then covers agrotourism, pointing to the symbiotic relationship between tourism and agriculture as a key element of responsible tourism. It explains the terms agro-ecotourism and eco-organic tourism. Two countries facing rising economic prosperity are analyzed from the point of view of ecotourism and organic agriculture – China and India. Experts cite tourism as a leading cause of environmental degradation in these countries. But ecotourism has the potential to benefit both the economy and the environment. A study from Taiwan suggests that the links between organic agriculture and agro-ecotourism are capable of maximizing the economic benefits of organic agriculture. Another article, dealing with the Himalayan areas of India, is also considered. Despite the area’s world-renowned scenery and wilderness, tourism in these areas “remains a highly seasonal activity, served by a poor infrastructure and exhibiting unsustainable practices”. Thus, in India organic farming and food production are expected to be services allied to ecotourism. Those, in turn, are expected to generate quality jobs and income. The paper then returns to Europe, illustrating several cases of successful co-operation between ecotourism and organic farming. It mentions certain organic farming practices which “benefit the environment while rewarding farmers: accommodation in buildings renovated/constructed according to ecological architecture; on-farm consumption or selling of organic foods and beverages; educational programmes and training (organic gardening, composting, wild herb collection and drying, traditional food and beverage production), and raising guests’ awareness of rational use of natural resources” (FAO). It mentions the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture established in 1998, and German Demeter Travel as the first agency that pursues the holistic goal of an organic farming association. The importance of eco-labels as vital marketing instruments for agro-ecotourism is underlined. The paper then provides an overview of the best-known forms of certification, as well as the regulatory mechanism developed by the BIO-Hotels Association from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, established in 2001. The paper concludes with the open question of how serious Croatia is in pursuing its declared aim of being an ecotourist destination.
Ključne riječi
ekološka poljoprivreda; agro-ekoturizam; osviješteni putnici-turisti
Hrčak ID:
28435
URI
Datum izdavanja:
25.7.2008.
Posjeta: 5.787 *