Application of Agritourism in Macedonia: Regional Potentials, Economic Indicators and Opportunities for Sustainable Development

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This paper analyzes the possibilities for the development and application of agritourism in
Macedonia through a detailed evaluation of natural resources, agricultural structure, regional potentials, and
economic indicators. The research employs a combined methodological approach: descriptive analysis,
comparative regional analysis, assessment of agritourism capacities, SWOT-analysis and recommendations
for sustainable development. Agritourism represents an integrated form of rural development based on
agricultural resources, local traditions, and experiential tourism. Macedonia, with its diverse climate, rich
agricultural regions and cultural heritage, possesses significant prerequisites for developing agritourism
offerings. The aim of the paper is to identify the potentials of agritourism through regional analysis, to
determine the critical factors for development, and propose recommendations for long-term sustainability.
The results indicate that the Pelagonia, Vardar, Southeastern, and Southwestern regions have the greatest
opportunities for agritourism development, yet face infrastructural and institutional limitations, while the
Northeastern and Eastern regions require structural and infrastructural improvements. The paper provides
practical guidelines for the development of standards, integration of agricultural products into tourism offer
and the establishment of synergy with eco, gastronomic, and cultural tourism. The conclusion suggests that
agritourism can become a significant economic pillar if systematic planning, regional branding, and
investment in rural development are implemented.
Keywords: agritourism, rural development, regional analysis, sustainability