The visitors’ perception of the territory of "Galo de Barcelos": destination of creative tourism

Abstract

This article aims at knowing the visitors’ perception of the territory of the "Barcelos Galo"as a tourist destination, within a case study, aiming the creation of an explanatory model of the process of development and implementation of the creative tourism. It is argued, with this study, that the essence of the creative tourism lies in the authentic experiences and the development of visitors’ skills through the interpretation of the heritage and culture of local communities. It might be concluded that the territory of the "Galo de Barcelos"has the potential to be develop as a destination for creative tourism, since the heritage associated with this symbol of Portuguese tourism, namely handicrafts (pottery of roosters), the Camino de Santiago, Gastronomy and wines (the roasted rooster of the legend and the “vinho verde” wine) and the weekly fair (medieval), appears to be its main tourist attractions.