Discovering the Tourist and Food Culture of Western Sao Paulo/ Descobrindo a Cultura Turistica e Alimentar do Oeste Paulista

The western region of Sao Paulo has tourism and food potential. Despite this, there is a difficult alignment between the municipalities in the region, in order not to enjoy all this potential. Aiming to fill this gap in the market and in academia, this study has as its main objective to list the main tourist potentials and their collaboration networks in the western region of Sao Paulo. To achieve the desired objective, the study used a literature review in the area of regional gastronomic development and a documental survey of the main technical reports. In addition, 6 interviews were conducted with cultural and gastronomic experts in the region. The results showed that: a) the main tourist and gastronomic potential of the West of Sao Paulo are linked to the rivers that run through them; b) tourist gastronomy is also influenced by the regional agricultural potential, with emphasis on beef and sweet potatoes; c) there is no consensus between the main actions that should be taken to promote the tourist and food culture of the West of Sao Paulo; d) there is little knowledge about alternative agricultural productions and with state and national representatives, such as mushrooms and macadamias. Finally, the study developed opens space for new research in the gastronomic and tourist area, with a focus on regional development.