Abstract:

Geographical indication; It is also expressed as an application that is considered as the identity of the product and guarantees the quality of the product in order to protect the products that have a strong connection with the region, to transfer them to future generations and to market these products.In recent years, it has been seen that destinations have brought local products and values to the forefront in the process of gaining gastronomic identity and are in an effort to become a brand with their gastronomic products. Regions or cities that have adequately carried out promotional activities for their geographical indication registered products are identified with their products in a gastronomic sense. In destinations that have not given enough importance and care to these promotional activities, the indicated products remain in the background in terms of awareness. As of July 2023, there are 48 (pieces) in Turkey and 13 (pieces) geographical indication registered meatballs in the Aegean region. The aim of the study is to investigate the contribution of the geographically indicated meatballs in the Aegean Region to the promotion of the region and the effect of the indication of the geographically indicated product after the registration. The research was conducted face-to-face using pre-determined questions (semi-structured interview) with authorized personnel who were closely interested in the subject and experts who contributed to the process with their academic knowledge in institutions and organizations that registered meatballs/meatball dishes with geographical indications. The obtained data were analyzed using the content analysis method. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the geographical indication registered meatballs/meatball dishes could not contribute enough to the promotion of the region and the geographical indication registration did not have a significant effect on the awareness/recognition of the meatballs.

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