Files
Abstract
Rural tourism has become a significant economic activity in Spain, contributing
also to the social revitalisation of rural areas. However, rural tourism
destinations face particular challenges with respect to commercialisation and
promotion. Because rural tourism industry remains highly fragmented, comprising
a large number of relatively small and generally family-run businesses, the
participation of tourism intermediaries in the marketing process is limited. To
ensure that rural tourism businesses are properly marketed numerous organisations,
based on joint local initiatives, have arisen. Such cooperative groups are
labelled as Rural Tourism Associations.
The purpose of this paper is to present the main characteristics of Rural Tourism
Association’s movement in Spain, making to do it a census of these organisations.
Secondly, we estimate the contribution of Rural Tourism Associations to
the income of rural tourism business owners. The sample, made of Catalan rural
tourism promoters, shows the relevant role that rural tourism organisations play
on the viability of rural tourism business.