Book excerpt: Agritourism describes the activity of holiday-making in rural areas, specifically for those seeking a rural experience. Activities can include wine tours, outdoor sports, participation in the rural lifestyle and local community, enjoyment of the natural environment and the opportunity to enjoy truly locally produced food. Agritourism forms a significant proportion of the tourism sector, and its growth is set to continue in both developed and developing countries. The authors present the depth and variety of agritourism practiced around the world and cover all aspects of the economics and organization of agritourism. Topics discussed include agricultural economics, rural development, marketing, rural policy, different products and services available and the characteristics of agritourists.