Produtos certificados na génese de rotas turísticas

Uma oportunidade para conhecer a Região Centro

Abstract

Tourist routes offer visitors the possibility to get to know a certain territory and get involved in activities and experiences organised around a common theme. The creation of these itineraries is a valuable tool for the promotion of territories, which had led several municipalities and regions in Portugal to acknowledge its importance. This paper will focus on gastronomic routes, whose main goal is the promotion of local gastronomy and endogenous products from of a given territory.

The starting point for this investigation was a survey of food products issued with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) certifications, associated with the Central region of Portugal. These traditional certified products are key elements for the development of tourism, as tourists are increasingly looking for higher quality products, healthy eating and activities that encourage sustainability. In this sense, the combination of tourist routes and gastronomic products seems to be an experience with high growth potential.

The objective of this work is to identify existing tourist routes, which have as their theme one or more certified food products. The focus of the study is the Central region of Portugal.