Gastronomic Heritage and Local Development in Two Magical Towns of Mexico

This paper analyzes the potential of two Mexican Magical Towns of the state of Morelos: Teportlan and Tlayacapan, to take advantage of its gastronomy to promote tourism and, consequently, local development. The research was based on documentary review, direct observations and interviews with key actors. The Magical Towns analyzed have infrastructure, human resources, and a wide variety of quality gastronomic products to consolidate their gastronomic offer; however, this gastronomic heritage is not evident in the integral tourism strategy, so it does not constitute an attraction in itself for visitors. Gastronomy is not seen in general as a tourist richness, but as a service associated with tourism. Is require alliances between public and private agents to avoid dispersion of efforts and create an attractive gastronomic offer strengthens the tourism competitiveness of these territories.