Abstract:

Local and traditional foods are among the important products of gastronomic tourism. In recent years, it is seen that tourists have made more travels to destinations that preserve their local values and put them in the forefront. Therefore, the destinations have begun to focus on protecting local products to attract tourists and increase tourist revenue. The conservation of local products and the transfer to future generations is carried out by the geographical marking application that is put to the forefront as the encounter of the nationalism with the world. The fact that Turkey has hosted numerous civilizations since the very ancient times has led to its appropriate geographical location and efficient land structure to possess a wide variety of geographically marked local products. These local products must be registered with a geographical labelling in order to preserve and avoid quality standards. Products with geographical marks attract tourists to the destinations in the context of gastronomic tourism. Tourists travel to destinations to experience local products and foods with geographical signs. In this study, the introduction of local products and foods that are registered with geographical marks in the province of Manisa, the contribution of products and foods with geographical marks to gastronomic tourism was tried to be determined. It has a total of six geographical marked products, including Manisa, Akhisar Domat Olive, Akhisar Uslu Olive, Akhisar Köfte, Salihli Kiraz, Salihli Wood Köfte and Kırkağaç kavuna. Recommendations for the contribution of local products and foods with geographical signals to the development of Manisa's gastronomic tourism have been presented.

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