Valorising the rural pantry: Bridges between the preservation of fruits and slow tourism in Catalonia

Abstract

The presence of local products in food experiences is an added value for tourists who seek both a physical and symbolic relation with the place they visit. This article aims to study the role of jams and marmalades as local products that protect and promote the local identity in rural Catalonia (Spain). The qualitative methodology is based on 18 semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders involved in the production, distribution and commercialization of jams and marmalades to explore their tourism value. Results show that the tradition of growing fruits is a source for producing jams and marmalades, which, in turn, contributes to sustainable consumption of locals and visitors. While results reveal the connections between fruits and tourism from the stakeholders’ perspectives, the study also opens a new research avenue where the relationships between preserved fruit products and tourism is still underexplored