TRADITIONAL FOODS AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR RURAL TOURISM: THE CASE OF URES, SONORA

Abstract

Food is not only nourishment; on occasions it is associated to emotions and symbolism. Before, tourists were not interested in unknown foods from the places they visited, but now they seek new experiences and try diverse dishes in terms of colors and flavors. In this context, the diet and movement of individuals coincide and elements are articulated which position foods as a tourism products. In this pairing of tourism-foods, a gastronomic route arises to strengthen the symbolic meaning of foods as facilitators of the visitor’s experience, as an instrument that fosters rural development with territorial identity. The
research implied identifying traditional foods from Ruta del Río, Sonora, México, which are positioned as those of highest degree of identity, according to entrepreneurs and consumers. A survey was performed with entrepreneurs who sell food in the study area, as well as interviews and surveys with consumers, potential tourists in the region; among 45 different traditional foods, tamales, chili with meat burros, cheeses and desserts such as piloncillo and jamoncillo stood out as emblematic in the area.