Agro-tourism, which combines agriculture with tourism to create income and job opportunities for local communities, is described as a form of tourism that not only contributes to the preservation of the environment and nature but also allows tourists to experience new things and discover local cultures. Awareness or consciousness is the individual’s ability to process the information surrounding them. This research compares the awareness of agro-tourism among people in Turkey and Azerbaijan. In this study, which adopts a quantitative perspective, a literature review was first conducted, and based on the relevant literature, a survey form was created to determine awareness. The results indicate that agro-tourism is not sufficiently recognized in both countries. The statistically significant difference observed only in the age variable is essential for increasing awareness and development of agro-tourism among different age groups. This article suggests that residents’ and tourists’ visitation to rural areas, focusing on marketing activities, can contribute to creating rural awareness. The findings of this study provide essential information for policymakers and the planning of marketing activities.

agro-tourism; Azerbaijan; Turkey; awareness

Ahipaşaoğlu, s., & Çeltek, E. (2006). Sustainable Rural Tourism. Gazi Kitabevi.

Artuger, S., & Kendir, H. (2013). Agritourist Motivations: The Case of Turkey. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(21). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v8n21p63

Azerbaijan Cumhuriyeti Devlet İstatistik Komitesi. (2023a). Tourism | State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Turkish). Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi. Available online: https://www.stat.gov.az/source/tourism/ (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Azerbaijan Cumhuriyeti Devlet İstatistik Komitesi. (2023b). Population | State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Turkish). Azərbaycan Respublikasının Dövlət Statistika Komitəsi. Available online: https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/ (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Azerbaijan Cumhuriyeti Ülke Raporu. (2016). Republic of Turkey Serhat Development Agency (Turkish). Available online: https://www.serka.gov.tr/assets/upload/dosyalar/173762b6e5404f4631f2add153a28c72.pdf (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin Fərmanı. (2019). Azərbaycan Respublikası Regionlarının 2019-2023-Cü Illərdə Sosial-Iqtisadi Inkişafı Dövlət Proqramı. Available online: https://e-qanun.az/framework/41320 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Azərbaycan Respublikasının Kənd Təsərrüfatı Nazirliyi. (2024). Şəhərdən Kəndə" layihəsi çərçivəsində 8 aqroturun təqdimatı keçirilib. Available online: https://agro.gov.az/az/news/2201241 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

B. Agustin, N., & Janice S. Cucio, J. S. C. (2023). Farmers’ Awareness and Perceptions in Agritourism Participation in Calaanan Bongabon Nueva Ecija: A basis of Marketing Development Plan. International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 9(5), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.95.11

Barbieri, C., & Mshenga, P. M. (2008). The Role of the Firm and Owner Characteristics on the Performance of Agritourism Farms. Sociologia Ruralis, 48(2), 166–183. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9523.2008.00450.x

Buğday Ekolojik Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği. (2024). TaTuTa. Available online: https://www.bugday.org/blog/latest-event/ (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Ci̇velek, M., Dalgin, T., & Çeken, H. (2014). Relationship between Agro-Tourism and Rural Development: A Research in Agro-Tourism Areas in Muğla Region (Turkish). Turizm Akademik Dergisi, 1(1), 15-28.

De Villa, I. R., REB, F. Y. A. M., & Martinez, M. C. R. (2018). Farm Tourism Awareness and its Integration in the Curriculum of BSIHM and BSTO Programs. Available online: https://icsai.org/procarch/9iclehi/9iclehi-097.pdf (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Demirezen, B. (2020). Agro Tourism in Turkey. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, 5(1), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.31201/ijhmt.696185

Devlet Su İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü. (2022). Tarım. Available online: https://www.dsi.gov.tr/Sayfa/Detay/720 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Dutt, C., & Ninov, I. (2016). The role of mindfulness in tourism: Tourism businesses' perceptions of mindfulness in Dubai, UAE. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 64(1), 81-95.

Frauman, E., & Norman, W. C. (2003). Sustainable Places Managing Visitors via "Mindful" Information Services: One Approach in Addressing Sustainability. Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric Frauman/publication/237725790_Special_Issue_Sustainable_Places_Managing_Visitors_via_Mindful_Information_Services_One_Approach_in_Addressing_Sustainability/links/5f737432a6fdcc00864804a4/Special-Issue-Sustainable-Places-Managing-Visitors-via-Mindful-Information-Services-One-Approach-in-Addressing-Sustainability.pdf (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Frauman, E., & Norman, W. C. (2004). Mindfulness as a Tool for Managing Visitors to Tourism Destinations. Journal of Travel Research, 42(4), 381–389. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287504263033

Gaziyev, E., & Boyacıoğlu, E. Z. (2021). The Role of Tourism in Development of Azerbaijan Economy: Implementation of Turkey Experience. Uluslararası Türk Dünyası Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 6(2), 275–295. https://doi.org/10.37847/tdtad.977689

Gurbuz, I. B., Nesirov, E., & Macabangin, M. (2019). Awareness level of students towards rural tourism: A case study from Azerbaijan State University. Scientific Papers: Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, 19(3), 247-257.

Hatch, D. (2006). Agri-tourism: A New Agricultural Business Enterprise. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/nr/rdonlyres/1a2e348a-8b47-472e-9a16-b2540d7a472f/51054/pubac5agritourism.pdf

Hüseyn, A. (2023). The Significance of Rural Tourism in Fostering the Development of Rural Areas: A Case Study of Azerbaijan. İçinde 12. In: 7 th Internatıonal Tourısm and Development.

Jiang, G. (2022). How Does Agro-Tourism Integration Influence the Rebound Effect of China’s Agricultural Eco-Efficiency? An Economic Development Perspective. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.921103

Khartishvili, L., Muhar, A., Dax, T., et al. (2019). Rural Tourism in Georgia in Transition: Challenges for Regional Sustainability. Sustainability, 11(2), 410. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020410

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Langer, E. J., & Moldoveanu, M. (2000). Mindfulness Research and the Future. Journal of Social Issues, 56(1), 129–139. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00155

Lengyel, A. (2015). Mindfulness and Sustainability: Utilizing the Tourism Context. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(9), 35. https://doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v8n9p35

Liang, A. R.-D., Hsiao, T.-Y., Chen, D.-J., et al. (2020). Agritourism: experience design, activities, and revisit intention. Tourism Review, 76(5), 1181–1196. https://doi.org/10.1108/tr-10-2019-0438

Lobo, R. E., Goldman, G. E., Jolly, D. A., et al. (1999). Agritourism benefits agriculture in San Diego County. California Agriculture, 53(6), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v053n06p20

Marton, F., & Booth, S. (2013). Learning and awareness. Routledge.

Marwanti, S. (2015). Pengembangan agrowısata berbasıs masyarakat dı kabupaten karanganyar. Caraka Tani: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 30(2), 48. https://doi.org/10.20961/carakatani.v30i2.11886

Neda Tiraieyari. (2012). Agri-tourism: Potential opportunities for farmers and local communities in Malaysia. Afrıcan Journal Of Agrıcultural Reseearch, 7(31). https://doi.org/10.5897/ajarx11.035

Nguyen, N. T. H., Suwanno, S., Thongma, W., et al. (2018). The attitudes of residents towards agro-tourism impacts and its effects on participation in agro-tourism development: The case study of Vietnam. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7(4), 1-18.

Nyaupane, G. P., & Timothy, D. J. (2010). Heritage awareness and appreciation among community residents: perspectives from Arizona, USA. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 16(3), 225–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527251003620776

Ogunjinmi, A. A., & Braimoh, C. O. (2018). Assessment of community awareness and participation in ecotourism in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Environmental & Socio-Economic Studies, 6(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2018-0017

Özay, S. (2022). A global perspective on rural tourism: TATUTA (Turkish). Tarım ve Orman Dergisi. Available online: http://www.turktarim.gov.tr/Haber/724/kirsal-turizme-kuresel-bakis-tatuta- (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Phillip, S., Hunter, C., & Blackstock, K. (2010). A typology for defining agritourism. Tourism Management, 31(6), 754–758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.08.001

Poria, Y., Biran, A., & Reichel, A. (2006). Tourist Perceptions: Personal vs. Non-Personal. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 1(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.2167/jht005.0

Priatmoko, S., Kabil, M., Akaak, A., et al. (2023). Understanding the Complexity of Rural Tourism Business: Scholarly Perspective. Sustainability, 15(2), 1193. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021193

Qüdrətli Dövlət Və Yüksək Rifah Cəmiyyəti. (2022). Azərbaycan Respublikasının 2022─2026-Cı Illərdə Sosial-Iqtisadi Inkişaf Strategiyası. Azərbaycan Prezidentinin. Available online: https://static.president.az/upload/Files/2022/07/22/5478ed13955fb35f0715325d7f76a8ea_3699216.pdf (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Roberts, L., & Hall, D. (2001). Rural tourism and recreation: principles to practice. https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851995403.0000

S., Sakawati, H., Nur Yamin, Muh., et al. (2024). Community-based Agrotourism Development: The Analysis Strategy of Government of Bantaeng Regency, Indonesia. KnE Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v9i2.14856

Sacirovic, D., Bratic M. M. (2021). Motivational Factors and Satisfaction of Foreign Tourists Visiting Belgrade as Tourist Destination According to Their Social and Demographic Characteristics, Fresenıus Envıronmental Bulletın, 30(4A), 4085-4093

Saidmamatov, O., Matyakubov, U., Rudenko, I., et al. (2020). Employing Ecotourism Opportunities for Sustainability in the Aral Sea Region: Prospects and Challenges. Sustainability, 12(21), 9249. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219249

Sayers, R. (2006). Principles of awareness-raising for information literacy: A case study. Communication and Information, UNESCO.

Schilling, B., Sullivan, K., & Komar, S. (2012). Examining the Economic Benefits of Agritourism: The Case of New Jersey. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 199–214. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2012.031.011

Selvi̇, M., & Demi̇rer, D. (2012). A Case Study of Ecological Holiday Farms' TATUTA Project Experience (Turkish). Anatolia: Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 23(2).

Shembekar, P. P. (2017). A study on consumer awareness and preference of urban tourists in Nagpur towards Agritourism. The International Journal of Business Management and Technology, 1(2), 6-9.

Stanovčić, T., Peković, S., Vukčević, J., et al. (2018). Going Entrepreneurial: Agro-tourism and Rural Development in Northern Montenegro. Business Systems Research Journal, 9(1), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2018-0009

Swastika, I. P. D., Sri Budhi, M. K., & Urmila Dewi, M. H. (2017). Analısısı of Agrowısata Development for Community Welfare in Petang District, Badung Regency (Indonesian). E-Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis Universitas Udayana, 4103. https://doi.org/10.24843/eeb.2017.v06.i12.p03

Sznajder, M., Przezbórska, L., & Scrimgeour, F. (2009). Agritourism. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845934828.0000

T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı. (2023). Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade (Turkish). Available online: https://ticaret.gov.tr/yurtdisi-teskilati/orta-asya/Azerbaijan/ulke-profili (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Tew, C., & Barbieri, C. (2012). The perceived benefits of agritourism: The provider’s perspective. Tourism Management, 33(1), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.005

TÜİK. (2023a). Labor Force Statistics (Turkish). Turkey İstatistiktik Kurumu. Available online: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Isgucu-Istatistikleri-2022-49390 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

TÜİK. (2023b). Address Based Population Registration System Results (Turkish). Available online: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=49685 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

UNWTO. (2022). 'Best Tourism Villages' of 2022 Named. Available online: https://www.unwto.org/news/best-tourism-villages-of-2022-named-by-unwto (accessed on 1 March 2024).

UNWTO. (2023a). 145 Key Tourism Statistics. Available online: https://www.unwto.org/tourism-statistics/key-tourism-statistics (accessed on 1 March 2024).

UNWTO. (2023b). UNWTO Names its Best Tourism Villages 2023. Available online: https://www.unwto.org/news/unwto-names-its-best-tourism-villages-2023 (accessed on 1 March 2024).

WEF. (2021). Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021: Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future. World Economic Forum. Available online: https://www.weforum.org/publications/travel-and-tourism-development-index-2021/ (accessed on 1 March 2024).

World Bank. (2023). Rural Population. World Bank Open Data. Available online: https://data.worldbank.org (accessed on 1 March 2024).

WWOOF Turkey. (2024). Live and Learn on Nature-Friendly Farms. Available online: https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/docs.wwoof.net/TR/Tatuta.pdf (accessed on 1 March 2024).

Yang, L. (2012). Impacts and Challenges in Agritourism Development in Yunnan, China. Tourism Planning & Development, 9(4), 369–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2012.726257

Zainal, A. G., Kagungan, D., Neta, Y., et al. (2022). Development Of Tourism Villages And Strengthening The Role of Tourism Awareness Groups Based on Heptahelix of Millennials Of Agrotourism Model: New Ideas For The Development Of Pandemic-Era Tourism Villages. E-Amal: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 2(3), 1627-1636.

Zivkovic, S., Ketin, S., Tomic, S.,et al. (2021). Research of Eco-Education, Fresenıus Envıronmental Bulletın, 30(12): 13343-13350.