The latest report on food and wine tourism (Rapporto sul Turismo Enogastronomico Italiano 2019) confirms the positive trend in this field. According to research carried out by Prof Roberta Garibaldi of the University of Bergamo 45% of Italian tourists have taken a food-motivated trip over the last three years, with an increase of 48% over the previous year.

The majority of these tourists are couples, the biggest number (52%) from the South, with 47% from the central regions. 41% come from the  north west of Italy and 39% from the north east. One of the most interesting facts that emerges from the research is that age makes no difference. The Millennials are just as motivated to explore regional and local food products as the older generations. Visits to local markets, farms, wine cellars and actual places of production top the popularity lists. The regions which attract most Italian enogastronomic explorers are Sicily, Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, while foreign visitors opt for Tuscany and Piedmont.

The research is supported by ENIT (the Italian Tourism Authority), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Tourism and the Italian Touring Club, among others, and was conducted under the scientific supervision of the World Food Travel Association and the University of Bergamo.

Italy has registered 825 products with IG certification (indication of geographic provenance), 5,056 traditional local products, 4 UNESCO-listed enogastronomic products and 2 UNESCO specialized cities. There is no lack of choice of itineraries, with 173 Wine and Taste routes, 114 food museums and a vast range of cookery classes, farm holidays, country fairs, wine tastings and demonstrations.

Buon appetito!

Info: www.worldfoodtravel.org/italy

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