Turismo local e gastronomia: Resgate da culinária e saberes na promoção do desenvolvimento em Resende Costa (MG)

Abstract

Tourism is a multifaceted phenomenon that depends on the dynamics of different segments, such as food. The connection between gastronomy and tourism can be revealed by the traveler's interest in a unique experience that values the identity aspects of the locality, through the desire to search for local cuisine. In this sense, the present study seeks to analyze the role of gastronomic tourism in promoting local development in Resende Costa, a city in the interior of Minas Gerais. The municipality has handicrafts as the main economic activity, and tourism is a complementary activity and potential to generate positive effects, as long as proper planning takes place. Particularly, the city has favorable conditions for food production, such as artisanal Minas cheese, being one of the seven cheese regions recognized by law. Methodologically, the research was carried out from the documentary and bibliographic survey, subsidized by the analysis of the project "Rescue of Knowledge and Flavors". The main results pointed out that gastronomic tourism in Resende Costa has the potential to boost not only the municipality, but also the region of São João del Rei, in view of the complementarity of the municipalities. It is, therefore, a vector of local development, through the valorization of local culture and preservation of identity elements.