EXHIBITIONS: PRIME LOCATIONS TO SHOW TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND KNOWLEDGES OF RURAL COMMUNITIES AND TO ATTRACT TOURISM

Abstract

The present article aims at presenting results of a survey on the exhibition of smoked-dried products, which takes place annually in Montalegre. The general purpose was to verify possible reference points between the development of this kind of gastronomic events and attracting tourists to the region. The data collected, through two questionnaires, allowed knowing that most visitors come from out of the city, that many come to promenade for a few days, that the products are genuine, that the organization of the exhibition is good, that producers sell much – which contributes to their survival – that the rules of hygiene and certification are tight, yet necessary to maintain the quality of the product and that there are already some young people integrating into the system, as a way of continuing it. The conclusions somehow confirm our hypotheses, that products derived from pork may act as a dynamic in attracting people to the region, provided that the traditional ways of feeding the animal and making the smoked-dried products are preserved, and that these products in Montalegre can influence the local development. But it is urgent that young people engage in this making, gain business sense and strive to further its fame.