An assessment of improving the sustainable agro-touristic offer in an emerging country using the integrative approach based on fuzzy logic

Abstract

The process of improving tourism requires prior determination of the existing offer, as well as assessment of the advantages and weaknesses of the given offer. Upon the analysis, it is possible to improve the tourist offer. This study examined ways in which agro-tourism can be improved, related to the foundation of sustainability. Methodologically, this article involves the use of expert assessment, additionally supported with fuzzy logic based on the fuzzy PIPRECIA and fuzzy MARCOS methods. Using the fuzzy PIPRECIA method, the criteria and sub-criteria were weighted, while the observed agro-tourism facilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) were ranked according to the applied fuzzy MARCOS method. The results of the application of the fuzzy PIPRECIA method showed that for experts the most important are economic criteria, then environmental, and the latter important are social criteria. The most important sub-criterion is the quality of services. Out of the six facilities in question, the most appropriate results are achieved at the “Šadrvan” rural household, while the worst outcome is exhibited at the agro-tourism facility, (rural household) “Kovačević.” Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. The aim of this article was to evaluate the agritourism offer in BiH, taking into consideration these six agritourism facilities. Based on that, it is necessary to determine on what advantages to build agritourism in BiH, and what should be corrected in order to be more competitive. Based on the obtained results, the facilities management should determine which sustainability criteria would need to be improved, as well as on which criteria it is desirable to build a competitive advantage, aiming to advance the tourist offer.

Can We Talk about Smart Tourist Villages in Mărginimea Sibiului, Romania?

“…The rural localities in Sibiu County with the highest number of tourist accommodation structures are Cârt , is , oara (38), Gura Râului (33), Sibiel (31), and Răs , inari (29). All these localities are in the mountain area, and the last three belong to the "Mărginimea Sibiului" area, whose uniqueness is due to the ancient shepherding activity of the inhabitants.…”

“…[28] showed that improving the demand for local products, promoting cultural exchange, experience opportunities, and improving the image of the region are vital for the success of agritourism. In general, agritourism requires the involvement of tourists in various activities closely related to the work of farmers [29] who practice extensive agriculture, contributing to the long-term synergy between rural tourism and agriculture [30] and the sustainability of the community [31]. Sustainable tourism development contributes to the preservation of the agricultural cultural heritage.…”

Sustainability Practices of Agritourism in Diffun, Quirino

“…Prior research has also examined the capacity of agritourism to foster sustainable behavioral models among farmers and travelers, with a particular emphasis on its potential to contribute to the circular economy in the post-COVID era (Ingrassia et al, 2023). In addition, scholarly investigations have examined the necessity to evaluate and enhance the sustainable agrotourism portfolio, focusing on utilizing accessible natural resources and social engagement to fashion an exceptional and environmentally conscious tourist experience (Puška et al, 2022). Nevertheless, certain areas of research have been deemed deficient.…”

Dex-Based Evaluation of Sustainable Rural Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…Furthermore, in the case of selecting the best location for ecotourism in the east and center of Fars province in Iran, the AHP and OWA methods were used [27], and the theory of rough sets was applied to the evaluation model supporting sustainable local development strategies in the case of Etna in Italy [28]. Sustainable development of ethnovillages in BIH and development of rural tourism in Republic of Srpska was supported by the DEX method [29,30], and on a more local scale, the sustainable rural tourism potential of the Brčko District of BIH was evaluated by FUCOM and fuzzy MARCOS methods [31], and fuzzy PIPRECIA and fuzzy MARCOS methods for an assessment of improving the sustainable agrotouristic offer [32]. The researched literature allows for the conclusion that the management of the rural tourist offer requires the use of MCDA methods; thus, to analyze the rural tourism in BIH, the DEX method was employed in this research.…”