Rural Tourism and Recreation in the EU

Rural tourism and recreation have emerged as significant parts of the rural economy in the European Union. This diverse sector is highly variable in character, and its employment importance varies greatly over space, with farm household members sometimes highly engaged and sometimes rather disengaged from the provision of the associated services. The regional social, cultural and economic benefits depend on the type of tourism and the structure of regional economy. Where interesting cultural landscapes are juxtaposed with low-intensity farming and strong local food cultures, there is often a strong agri-tourism sector. Rural tourism and recreation are not without controversy: the sector may be overhyped as a development strategy in remote areas, and some forms of tourism such as second homes can disrupt local housing markets and exacerbate social tensions. However, in general, rural tourism and recreation can be seen as positive contributors to European rural economies, and they contribute significantly to rural employment.