DEVELOPMENT OF AGRITOURISM THROUGH THE CONCEPT OF LOCAL GASTRONOMY POINTS

Abstract

This paper addresses issues regarding the new government initiative Local Gastronomic Points to develop rural areas with agritourism potential in Romania by highlighting the local gastronomy. The main objective of this research is to identify how the concept of Local Gastronomic Points is perceived in terms of the opinion of the owners who manage such businesses and to identify the implications of this concept in the development of agritourism. In this respect, qualitative marketing research based on the semi-structured interview method was conducted at the level of the rural tourist destination Vama Buzaului, Romania. The main conclusion of the study is that the Local Gastronomic Points is an initiative that demonstrates that it can generate horizontal development of the rural areas and the development of agritourism. The research results revealed that this concept enhances the local community and gastronomy. Starting from these results, we propose to design a unitary Gastro Local concept at the county level, which should include specific requirements regarding the culinary preparations and services, the standardization of the marking and signalling of these Points, and intense activity of information and tourist promotion. The results of the study are conclusive and relevant for stakeholders in agritourism, for the responsible public authorities in the field of tourism, to develop competitive rural tourist destinations. The paper also offers future research directions.