Building on a PDO food product in order to innovate in tourism: a case study on Beaufort cheese[S'appuyer sur un produit agroalimentaire AOP pour innover en tourisme : le cas du fromage de beaufort]

This article examines the links that may exist between a PDO agrofood product and tourism. Through a case study – the "Beaufort" mountain cheese – we observe that many recreational activities in relation with the PDO are offered to tourists. These activities form a real range of agritourist products. The links between the "DPO food" and the "PDO tourism" can be observed since long but, interestingly, are strengthening over time. A sort of virtuous circle amplifies these links and creates new resources. This case study may inspire other PDO territories that would like to innovate in tourism, whatever their current degree of agritourism implementation, because among the identified success factors, many are transferable. The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) is a European model that interests many countries.