A culinary trail as an example of a teme trail

Cultural tourism plays a significant role in satisfying the needs of the contemporary tourist. Leisure itself is no longer the sufficient purpose of travel - the cognitive aspect appears to be a key factor. This is the starting point for the development of new activities, including culinary tourism. A culinary trail is an important tool that helps to increase the attractiveness of a region to tourists. Taking the following into consideration: (a) the subject-orientated dimension of culinary trails compared to object-orientated traditional tourist trails; as well as (b) the diversity of choice, which demands structured management; and (c) emphasis on cognitive function - culinary trails are to be categorized as theme trails. That means that they are integrated and managed linear leisure penetration systems, including relevant objects associated with the theme, accompanied by additional choices that follow the main subject (events, personages, stories, genius loci etc.). The recommended features of complex culinary theme trails, which should be taken into consideration when planning a new trail, were defined as the following: a main plot, authenticity, a route, a selection of components, a presence in space, methods of indication, a development, a coordinator, a recipient group, means of promotion, and additional attractions. The profits gained from culinary tourism have started to be appreciated by loca! and regional authorities, as well as loca! community leaders, NGOs and entrepreneurs. All these stakeholders start to perceive culinary trails as the tools of loca! and regional development. Numerous projects based on !ocal cuisine have recently been realized throughout Poland and Europe. Severa! projects were co-financed by public means. Coordinators have noted the benefits gained from the synergy of joint knowledge and experiences of differentiated stakeholders (public, private and non-government). These circumstances open a new perspective of further enlargement of the ideas and propositions that influence sustainable development through tourism, as well as popularization of culinary tourism as a new trend