Abstract
The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topic
of critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourism
is a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of research
issues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandate
of local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growing
body of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have been
overlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which is
targeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of international
scholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implications
for LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presented
which shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significance
for small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourism
spaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driver
for LED in South Africa.