Rural tourism can be broadly defined as tourism which takes place
in rural areas, although the definition raises questions about what
constitutes the latter. Notions of rural may be socially constructed
and differ by country and culture. However, certain common
attributes can be discerned of low population densities and only a
small proportion of land given over to the built environment, creating
an impression of space. There is an implication that social structures
will be more traditional, the natural landscape will be prominent
and that access could be difficult (OECD, 1994). Agriculture is likely
to be practiced, but not necessarily and rural tourism and farm
tourism are not always synonymous. Definitional ambiguities about
rural areas and rural tourism persist (Sharpley & Roberts, 2004) and
both are multi-faceted concepts open to a degree of interpretation.
A destination's geography and general circumstances will shape
understanding in a manner suggested by comparison of the scenery
and leisure opportunities found in the Scottish Highlands and Australian
outback.