Toward a Conceptual Framework for Evaluating Agricultural Tourism Development Based on Land Suitability: A Case Study of Huangma Township, Nanchang, China
List of Authors
Ling Cai, Zaharah Mohd Yusoff
Keyword
Agricultural Tourism; Land Suitability Assessment; Sustainable Development; Multi-Criteria Decision-Making; Analytic Hierarchy Process
Abstract
Agricultural tourism has gained increasing attention as an effective approach to promoting rural revitalization, ecological conservation, and diversified income generation. Despite its potential, existing planning approaches often fail to integrate land physical suitability, sustainability principles, and systematic decision-making into a unified evaluation framework. This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual model to address this gap. The proposed framework combines three key components: first, land suitability assessment based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 1976 guidelines to evaluate physical attributes such as soil quality, slope, water availability, and accessibility; second, sustainability dimensions that encompass environmental, socio-cultural, and economic factors to ensure balanced development; and third, the application of a multi-criteria decision-making method, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process, to prioritize development zones through goal definition, pairwise comparison, weight calculation, and consistency checks. The framework is applied to Huangma Township in Nanchang County, Jiangxi Province, China, using data from geographic information systems, surveys, and community participation. The evaluation integrates biophysical data with sustainability indicators scored by experts and local stakeholders. Weighted results are used to generate a ranking of priority development zones and to formulate strategic recommendations for zoning and phased implementation. This integrative approach not only enhances the scientific basis of agricultural tourism planning but also strengthens its adaptability to local conditions. The findings provide actionable insights for decision-makers and spatial strategists in enhancing land utilisation, advancing sustainable tourism initiatives, and strengthening the adaptive capacity of rural economies in China.