Turismul gastronomic - mijloc de promovare a ospitalității și tradițiilor culinare din Republica Moldova

Abstract

This article presents several aspects related to gastronomic tourism and its importance in the promotion and valorization of gastronomic customs and traditions in the Republic of Moldova. Several definitions of this concept are analyzed, the goals are described, and it is concluded that gastronomic tourism is a form of tourism whose purpose is familiarization with local culinary customs and traditions, the peculiarities of food preparation, but also the training and increasing the level of professional knowledge in the culinary field. The types of gastronomic tourism that may be relevant for the market of tourist services in the country are identified. It is argued that for the Republic of Moldova, culinary tourism can become a powerful marketing tool, a means of promotion for certain areas, due to the fact that some foods can serve as the primary reason and impetus to visit certain localities, and all these contribute to individualization and formation a brand image of certain localities. The SWOT analysis of gastronomic tourism in the Republic of Moldova is presented, and based on theoretical approaches, the types of gastronomic tourism are identified and exposed, the development of which will be relevant for the formation of competitive gastronomic tourism products in the Republic of Moldova.