Restauração, Turismo e Valorização de Produtos Agro-alimentares Locais: o Caso do Espaço Transfronteiriço do Douro-Duero

Abstract

The paper is based upon the results of research developed in the frame of an INTERREG IIIA Project on small-scale agricultural productions and local development in the Douro-Duero region of Portugal and Spain, involving researchers from the Universities of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and Salamanca. The paper reflects the results of survey and observation work looking at the roles of restaurants, the importance of local fairs and markets, and the interest of visitors and tourists in local quality agrifood products. The following major conclusions are presented: local shops have little interest in acquiring these products directly from farmers; traditional gastronomy is a privileged way of promoting the valorisation of local quality agrifood products; tourism in the area has potential but it still quite incipient, but visitors and tourists look to buy these products.

Keywords

• Agriculture
• Local products
• Distribution
• Restaurant industry
• Tourism
• Douro