Application of Agritourism in Macedonia: Regional Potentials, Economic Indicators and Opportunities for Sustainable Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65921/qsedrb76Keywords:
agritourism, rural development, regional analysis, sustainabilityAbstract
This paper analyzes the possibilities for the development and application of Agrotourism in Macedonia through a detailed evaluation of natural resources, agricultural structure, regional potentials, and economic indicators. The research employs a combined methodological approach: descriptive analysis, comparative regional analysis, assessment of Agrotourism capacities, SWOT-analysis and recommendations for sustainable development. Agrotourism represents an integrated form of rural development based on agricultural resources, local traditions, and experiential tourism. Macedonia, with its diverse climate, rich agricultural regions and cultural heritage, possesses significant prerequisites for developing Agrotourism offerings. The aim of the paper is to identify the potentials of Agrotourism through regional analysis, to determine the critical factors for development, and propose recommendations for long-term sustainability.
The results indicate that the Pelagonia, Vardar, Southeastern, and Southwestern regions have the greatest opportunities for Agrotourism development, yet face infrastructural and institutional limitations, while the Northeastern and Eastern regions require structural and infrastructural improvements. The paper provides practical guidelines for the development of standards, integration of agricultural products into tourism offer and the establishment of synergy with eco, gastronomic, and cultural tourism. The conclusion suggests that Agrotourism can become a significant economic pillar if systematic planning, regional branding, and investment in rural development are implemented.
Downloads
References
Angelkova Petkova, T. (2024). The mapping of potential forms of tourism in the Malesevo region, for the development of a sustainable tourist destination. Knowledge – International Journal, 67(6), 999–1004. https://ojs.ikm.mk/index.php/kij/article/view/7494
Angelkova, T., Ristova, C. (2021). The importance of travel agencies for the development of Macedonia as an attractive tourist destination. Fourth International Scientific Conference “Challenges in Tourism and Business Logistics in the 21st Century”, November 19, 2021, Štip. https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/29379
Angelkova, T., Dzordzevic Milosevic, S., Ristova, C. (2018). The development of agro tourism in Northeastern Macedonia – From hospitality to tourist activities. LAP – Lambert Academic Publishing. ISBN 978-613-9-85004-4. https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/20190
Angelkova, T., Stanojkova, M. (2017). Rural tourism as an alternative type of tourism. First International Scientific Conference, ISCTBL, Faculty of Tourism and Business Logistics – Gevgelija, Macedonia, pp. 129–134. ISSN 978-608-244-465-9
Barbieri, C. (2013). Assessing the sustainability of Agrotourism in the US. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(2), 252–268.
Gadakh, A., Kumbhar, V., Khosla, S., & Karunendra, K. (2025). Identifying key features for establishing sustainable agro tourism centre: A data-driven approach. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.09214
Telegrafi. (2018, May 7). The promotion of rural tourism in Macedonia is not sufficiently offered by tourist operators. https://telegrafi.com/en/the-promotion-of-rural-tourism-in-Macedonia-is-not-sufficiently-offered-by-tourist-operators/
Ministry of Agriculture. (2023). Register of Agrotourism Entities. Skopje.
Ministry of Economy. (2024). Regional Development Indicators. Skopje.
Phillip, S., Hunter, C., Blackstock, K. (2010). A typology for defining Agrotourism. Tourism Management, 31(6), 754–758.
Sidali, K. L., Spiller, A., & Schulze, B. (2011). Food, agriculture and tourism: Linking local gastronomy and rural tourism. Springer.
Sharpley, R., & Vass, A. (2006). Tourism, farming and diversification. Tourism Management, 27(5), 1042–1052.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Tanja Angelkova Petkova (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in Academos Journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows others to share, copy, distribute, and adapt the work for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited.
Authors retain copyright of their articles, and full publishing rights are granted to the journal.
