Purpose This paper aims to focus on the concept of agritourism and how its development and promotion can contribute to the achievement of a number of sustainable development objectives, including those related to reducing inequalities, fighting poverty, sustainable consumption and production and ensuring food security. Design/methodology/approach Professionals and experts in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture and tourism were interviewed to better understand the challenges of agritourism and how it could contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives in mountainous and arid regions. Findings The results highlight the environmental, economic and social benefits that can be derived from the practice of agritourism and how this can be a distinguishing feature for a country in which conventional tourism is struggling to develop. participation in farm life for various activities is a key element of any agritourism activity. The results also confirmed the various benefits of the practice, both for farmers and tourists and that it contributed directly to the achievement of certain objectives such as poverty alleviation, reduction of inequalities, food security and preservation of water resources. Research limitations/implications This research has certain limitations, the first being the fact that it is a qualitative study and the results cannot be extrapolated; second, it only took into account the point of view of a certain category of people, namely, experts and tourism professionals. Originality/value New elements were also identified, in particular, concerning certain perceived risks related to the practice of agritourism such as bio-piracy or damage to national heritage, as well as the appropriation and use of ancestral practices for commercial purposes by other countries.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the local community tourism as a solution to address overtourism and tourismophobia in unpopular and vulnerable tourist areas (rural places, wetlands, protected areas, historic sites and isolated places). Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with presidents and active members of associations that have committed to develop community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Algeria (in the desert, mountains and central rural highlands). Findings The results show that the interviewees have definitely adopted a participatory approach and included locals in their CBET and ecotourism projects. Unfortunately, it seems that Algerian tourists and tourism stakeholders have low ecological awareness. Therefore, a comprehensive approach should be put in place for the benefit of local residents to minimise tourismophobia and anti-tourism movement in these vulnerable areas. Originality/value Theoretically, this paper aims to fill the gap in the literature on overtourism in rural areas and vulnerable places. At the management level, contributions should help tourism stakeholders to understand the need to adopt regulations and standards to facilitate and secure alternative tourism forms such as CBET to prevent overtourism and tourismophobia risks.