HISTORY OF AGROTOURISM
Agro tourism has been around for a lot longer then anyone might think. In the simple history of agro tourism, our group summarized that development of the history itself related to human development along with the world technologies. Agro tourism also known as agro tourism, and the history of it was discussed by the expert from University of Tennessee Extension Publication by considering it as Agritainment. Agritainment (agro tourism and entertainment farming enterprises), created in 1800s, when families visited farming relatives in order to escape from the city and experience the farming. Mostly they don’t really took the holiday as a part of the agro tourism because their main focus is to release tension and get some rest during that time. Visiting other country become more popular with the widespread use of the automobile in 1920s. The used of car and vehicle make them easier to move and to explore the other place that required them to do some journey. That make the agro tourism become more popular and it increases not only the agro tourism industry but also the economy of the country because of many people have their own transportation. Rural recreation gained interest again in the 1930s and 1940s by folks that seeking an escape from the stresses of the Great Depression of World War ll. These demands for rural recreation lead to widespread interest in horseback riding, farm petting five zoos and farm nostalgia during 1960s and 1970s. Farm vacations, bed and breakfasts, and commercial farm tours were popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
HISTORY AGROTOURISM IN MALAYSIA MALAYSIA
Malaysia only started in the beginning of this agro tourism in the last few years before. In that time also world have economic crisis that make government thinking to find other way to helping helping improve the economic It began when the government of Malaysia has visited several European countries. During the visits, they have taken on a tour to some areas of the country agriculture which involved not only the area used for agriculture but it was developed as an area of agro tourism from outside and within the country are allowed to visit the area. The attraction has opened the eyes of our government for us to develop the agricultural sector which is not only located in one area but into
two areas. So the government has planned a number of directions to get involved in this field. With also the impact received by the neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Thailand are to return from this area reinforce the government's efforts in the field of agro-tourism venture.
Among the measures the government is to introduce the community to promote this field as the field by inserting into the field of tourism. Ie by introducing a number of places for visitors. In addition, the government has opened up opportunities for Malaysian entrepreneurs to improve their agricultural areas where potential for development as tourist attractions. Besides, the government helped them to promote a media and tourist. Other measures taken by the government is doing research of tropical agricultural products. It continues to enhance excellence in research and development of new agricultural resources. Exploring new industrial product meanwhile, generate the new knowledge in the agriculture field. At the same time, we creating the new markets for our own products and continue to contribute to the local agriculture sector especially. Same thing goes to the agro tourism. In our research, regarding this topic, we find out the opportunities that agro tourism hold and the advantages towards us the consumers and also to the development of our country economy.
Even thought, in Malaysia the agro tourism may be quite unfamiliar, but the existences of agro tourism industry are not a new thing. The benefits of the agro tourism are also been proven in many country in the worldwide. Agro tourism is still new in Malaysia and the progress in the Malaysia economy are still new, but the tourist from local and international are gave their interest in knowing the industry of agro tourism itself. Even thought, agro tourism is still new in Malaysia, but the development of the agro tourism show the positive progress among the Malaysian citizen. The government also concern about the people and try to support the people by encourage them to exploring the agro tourism industries and at the same time the government try to help by giving loan and also provided budget to this industry.
For example, the ninth Malaysia plan (Rancangan Malaysia ke-9) that conducted by the government is giving the Malaysia citizen a space to involves in this field. Based on the ninth Malaysia plan, government try to increase the agriculture product including the new source of growth with the greater private sector participation. Government also
expending agro-based processing activity and product diversification. Government is now, strengthen marketing and global network so that we can enhancing the incomes of small holders, farms and fishermen.
In Malaysia, most if the agro tourism spots provide the home stay. Home stay become popular in Malaysia because of the variation of its culture that comes from the different races in Malaysia. Usually, when people go for vocations, they would like to stays for a few days. The concept of home stay provide the tourist a place to stay and at the same time joining the activities that arranged by the owner. It is one of the strategy markets because if they also provide the home stay, the tourist tends to stay longer at their place so that they can gain more profits. The practicing of the agro tourism also can give many benefits to Malaysia. We can divide this into three categories like the benefits of agro tourism to the country, the consumers and to individual. For the country such as Malaysia, agro tourism has plays a big roles to generates income for the country. As we know, agro tourism has increasing the number of local tourist as well as from the other country. The increasing of the foreigner has also increasing the foreign money exchange into our country that will generate the income to the country. Big companies from other country also give good responds and interest to invest in Malaysia in tourism sectors.
Agro tourism also give many benefits to the consumers. Consumers here refer to the tourist that involved in this agro tourism. Agro tourism is one of the sources of entertainment. It consist if many interesting activities and at the same time it can be really exciting. Agro tourism recommended to people who enjoy adventure and exploration. It is because in agro tourism, we can learn many things about plants and animal besides going to the holiday. We also can say that agro tourism can be use in education purpose and general knowledge. Now, many school or university used agro tourism spot to hold their activities such as camping or motivation camp. It is also can educated the students to be closer to the nature. Besides giving an advantage to the country and to the consumer, agro tourism definitely gives many benefits to the owner itself. The owner can be referred to two sides.
One is the owner of the tourism spots and one is the owner of the agro-things, or maybe to both of it. Both party can used each other to attract people to come to their place. They
can use the tourism spot to promote agro product and vice versa. There is some example of agro tourism that has been practicing in our country and at overseas. As we know, Malaysia was famous with ours home stay, IKS (industri kecil dan sederhana), mountain climbing, jungle trekking, snorkelling and diving, food expo and Taman Mini Malaysia. While at other country, they has their farming, horse riding, paragliding, honey nest testing and many more interesting activities. Here are some recommended agro tourism destinations in Malaysia that is interesting to be visited like Cameron Highland, Kundasang, Kinabalu Mountain, Langkawi Island, our Taman Negara and the others. However, there is some problem in agro tourism sector in Malaysia to gain more attention from the tourist. The first thing is no or less of publicity to promote our agro tourism destination even to the local tourist. Most of the people do not know that Malaysia has many places that practicing agro tourism.
We also can noticed that there is almost none advertisement about agro tourism in Malaysia that can be found in the television. We also have a problem like the activities that come with the agro tourism are not fully interesting. The other things that prevent agro tourism in Malaysia to expend are the facilities at those places are not well and not comfortable enough. As we know, agro tourism destinations mostly are at the village or countryside and most of the tourist is from the city. So that, comfortable is their priority besides the good package activities and tour. Lastly, the price that has been offered in the agro tourism package is too expensive to be effort especially for local tourist. Therefore, from the problem that been mention earlier we have comes with several way that can overcome it. Firstly, we have to put more publicity for this sector. Make more advertisement at the television and at the newspaper to let people know about agro tourism in our country.
Then, offer them an affordable price and make it comes with several packages so that the customer can choose what is suitable with their interest, time, and budget. Lastly, provided a comfortable place for them to stay and make sure that all the service satisfied them. Always remember that the customer is always right and they may come again if they are happy with the services.