Conclusion: how could rural tourism provide better support for well-being and socioeconomic development?

Abstract

PurposeThis concluding paper summarizes the articles presented in this issue and the significant themes that emerged from the authors' contributions. The main objective of this theme issue on rural tourism is to examine different facets of rural tourism that are critical to short-term recovery as well as long-term sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThis article draws on the findings of the papers and revisits the question: how could rural tourism provide better support for well-being and socioeconomic development?FindingsThe papers in this issue can be classified into one of three clusters: (1) cultural traditions; (2) support for rural tourism service providers and (3) embracing new technologies. In addition to classifying these papers, the authors propose a conceptual framework to achieve sustainable rural tourism and development comprising four critical success factors for sustainable rural tourism and development.Originality/valueThe main objective of this theme issue is to examine different facets of rural tourism that are critical to short-term recovery as well as long-term sustainable development. Here the authors summarize the findings and propose a conceptual model for the benefit of managers. The authors think that the model could be helpful in designing a strategy for developing sustainable rural tourism projects. It includes reference to (1) stakeholder engagement and support for capacity-building, (2) gradual and organic growth processes, (3) valorization of sociocultural traditions and preservation of cultural heritage and (4) leveraging digital technology in marketing strategy.

Design and Development of a Rural Tourism Marketing System Using Deep Learning

“…Through literature review and analysis in the field of rural tourism, the feasibility of the marketing system encompasses factors such as market demand, technical support, system design, cost, technical reliability and security, data privacy, market promotion, and acceptance. They all directly impact the successful implementation of the system [28][29][30][31][32]. Figure 1 displays the demand analysis for rural tourism marketing.…”

Assessment for the Sustainable Development of Components of the Tourism and Recreational Potential of Rural Areas of the Aktobe Oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan

“…Another conceptual feature of small business rural tourism is its pronounced social orientation. This is manifested in the intensification of the comprehensive development of human capital, that is, in rural areas the conditions necessary for proper recreation are created [35,36].…”

Can Environmental Improvement Promote the Development of Forest Tourism? An Empirical Study Based on Chinese National Forest Parks

“…By augmenting the aesthetic value of the area and improving the quality of natural landscapes, visitors are more inclined to select the destination as their preferred travel choice [9]. Furthermore, researchers emphasize that positive word-of-mouth generated by improved services and enhanced visitor experiences can attract additional potential tourists, creating a virtuous cycle [10]. Therefore, through continuous environmental improvement, the tourism industry can achieve sustainable growth, fostering prosperity in regional tourism.…”