An Analysis of Tennessee Agri-Tourism Visitors’ Preferences and Expenditures

Agri-tourism is a relatively new concept in the United States and Tennessee, but it is gaining popularity with agri-business owners as a source of additional income. Because agri-tourism is new, much is left to be understood about what motivates visitors to agri-tourism attractions. This thesis analyzes the results of a visitor survey of 6 agritourism attractions in Tennessee, with a focus on understanding the factors that are motivating people to visit agri-tourism attractions. It was found that the reasons for visitors to attend agri-tourism attractions encompass a complex web of both economic and social motives. Visitors who attend agri-tourism attractions also have an economic effect directly and indirectly on the Tennessee economy.