RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRO-TOURISM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT: RESEARCH ON RURAL AREAS IN MU?LA

Ncreasing interest and sensibility to rural life render to enhance relationship between agriculture and tourism sectors. Agro-tourism concept developed over time in consequence of this relationship. Agro-tourism is one of alternative tourism types that aim to use agricultural resources in compliance with sustainability principles. This research aims to explore relationship between agro-tourism and rural development by the way of take local community's opinions. Primarily agro-tourism concept investigated and made literature review that mention relationship between agro-tourism and rural development. Then, we give some examples about agrotourism implementation worldwide and countrywide. Afterwards finding from local community that live in places where Ta-Tu-Ta farms in which operates, were presented. According to finding, effects of agro-tourism on rural development were evaluated. Semistructured interview form was used as a data collection tool. According to findings agro-tourism create employment opportunity to locals, increase income level of them and also contribute their social life. Agro-tourism employee women workforce and strengthen the role of women in society on this occasion. Visitors that came for agro-tourism attraction have environmental consciousness and they are respectful to lifestyles, customs and traditions of locals.