Fruits of the Brazilian Cerrado are a potential alternative for food tourism and regional development

Abstract

The Cerrado biome has tremendous social, heritage, and income-generating importance for traditional communities from this Brazilian region. Although the exotic fruits of Brazilian Cerrado are a subsistence source for communities that cultivate them and contribute to regional tourism promotion, they are not systematically studied. This study explores the potential of the biodiversity of exotic fruits from the Brazilian Cerrado biome as a promoter of food tourism. Exploring tourism and local production chains can enhance the development of Cerrado. Articulating this ‘new’ type of interaction between national public policies, local productive arrangements (LPA), traditional communities, and tourist activity actors can also help promote the exotic fruits from Cerrado. Thus, this is the first time the tourism experience emphasizing fruits has been explored as a promising alternative to regional development.

Keywords:
Brazilian Savanna; Community-based Tourism (CBT); Exotic fruits; Regional development; Traditional food

HIGHLIGHTS

First review of the tourist experience with an emphasis on Cerrado fruits

The gastronomic tourism market is a good option for regional development

The extractive exploitation of fruit from Cerrado forms several productive chains