Circular economy and agritourism: a sustainable behavioral model for tourists and farmers in the post-COVID era

Abstract

IntroductionIn recent years, issues related to environmental and ecosystem protection have been given greater consideration than in the past. The goal of adopting sustainable development models is vigorously pursued in the European Union and is reflected concretely in the new Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027. The circular economy can certainly be an emerging economic response that can effectively replace growth models centered on a linear view. Agriculture and tourism are two crucial sectors where the “green transition” should be encouraged to help achieve sustainability goals through economic circularity. Agritourism's activity may be relevant in contributing to a behavioral change based on ethical choices. The study aim is to find out if agritourism can be the forerunner for the green transition. The objective is to know motivations and current level of awareness and adoption of concrete behaviors of the circular economy by agritourisms and their guests. The tourists' preferences for Sicilian agritourism offerings were also observed.MethodsTwo types of surveys were conducted: a Census of the Sicilian Agritourisms active at an online travel agency and a sampling survey of the agritourism's visitors.Results and discussionThe results showed that agritourism by its very nature carries the green transition, partly due to the enormous financial support of the new CAP. Second, it is a provider of quality food and ecosystem services, and a promoter of healthy behaviors and consumption of seasonal and local short-chain products by visitors, so it can be a vehicle for the adoption of the Mediterranean Diet as a sustainable lifestyle and food system. Tourists' propensity to seek out environmentally friendly products and green services can help to improve ethical, responsible, and sustainable tourism. A sustainable behavioral model for farmers and tourists was provided.

Agriculture–Tourism Integration’s Impact on Agricultural Green Productivity in China

“…Agricultural output includes not only desirable or expected output but also undesirable or unexpected output such as carbon emissions [40,41]. Agricultural tourism products or services have good ecological functions [42,43]; local governments and agricultural tourism entities will inevitably reduce environmental pollution through green technological innovation and ecological environment creation to meet consumers' needs and demands for green consumption. Then, agriculture-tourism integration expands the tourism function of agricultural resources.…”

Debt Sustainability Assessment in the Biogas Sector: Application of Interest Coverage Ratios in a Sample of Agricultural Firms in Italy

“…Various studies have considered the CE to be the most promising development in agricultural activity as a driver of sustainable development [26,27]. The adoption of CE models applied to agricultural activity has fostered and been driven by changes in public policy, both globally and at the local level, with consequent legislative interventions [28][29][30]. The transition to circular economy models affecting agricultural activity is also due to changes in sensitivities reflected in changes in consumer preferences, resulting in the adoption of supply strategies that respect circular economy principles [31].…”