Abstract:

Cities that want to take the lead in the competition in the tourism industry, try to determine the characteristics that will enable them to become a brand and benefit from them. After the change in the travel preferences of the people, local products and values and especially gastronomic products started to become prominent in the destination choices. Therefore, in the branding process, the effect of gastronomy increase day by day and cities utilize their local food in this process.  The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of gastronomic products of Bafra in terms of branding of the county. Within this scope, the concept of geographical indication, which contributes to the transformation of local gastronomic products into touristic image elements, was emphasized in this study. The data in the study were obtained by semi-structured interview technique and field studies. 43 people consisting of the relevant units of the public and non-governmental organizations working on behalf of the products that have geographical indication in Bafra, the owners and employees of commercial enterprises producing and marketing the products with geographical signs, organic agricultural producers in Sürmeli village, buffalo producers and rice producers were interviewed. In these interviews, information on the cultural importance, history, production and marketing of gastronomic products was tried to be obtained while also gaining insight on the perspective of tourism. Participated in the Herb Food Festival held in Sürmeli Village and the Kapıkayafest Festival in Kapıkaya, these activities were evaluated in terms of their importance and potential for gastronomy tourism. In line with the findings, it was determined that the existing gastronomic products in Bafra have an important potential in terms of gastronomic tourism and that this potential will contribute to the branding process of the city on behalf of tourism and suggestions have been made on the subject.

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