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 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 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.