Roberta Garibaldi

Report on gastronomy tourism in Italy. Trends & scenarios

Gastronomy tourism has gained increasing prominence in the last decade in the tourism industry. From being a mere accessory - albeit an essential one - to the travel experience, it has evolved over the years into a highly sought-after and appreciated element. New forms, modalities, and consumption venues have emerged, creating experiences where sensory engagement is a key element. 

These experiences allow travellers to actively immerse themselves in the local cultural heritage, becoming part of the life and traditions of the local community. This dynamic combination, which highlights the specific characteristics of each territory (both gastronomic and nongastronomic), transcends different tourism segments and evolves through continuous exchanges, enriching itself with new facets. 

Gastronomy tourism is now among the main drivers of the country's image and identity within the global tourism system in Italy. If adequately expressed, it can enhance the national attractiveness compared to international competitors and provide renewed vitality to both established destinations and lesser-known areas, generating lasting economic, social, and cultural value. 

The Report on Gastronomy Tourism in Italy, now in its sixth edition, aims to support the work of destinations and industry stakeholders in capturing the opportunities arising from the combination of food and wine with tourism. It seeks to develop an offering system capable of meeting the needs of the contemporary traveller. The report provides an updated overview of emerging trends and dynamics, showcasing their evolution through a valuable consolidated historical series. 

This work is carried out under the auspices of the Italian Association of Gastronomy Gastronomy Tourism, a non-profit association aiming to disseminate knowledge and raise funds to make this research work permanent. It has received the support of Smartbox, UniCredit, VisitEmilia, and ValdichianaLiving, the patronage of Cultura Italiae, Federturismo, Fondazione Qualivita, ISMEA (Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare), Iter Vitis Les Chemins de la Vigne en Europe, and Touring Club Italiano. The collaboration of TheFork and Tripadvisor is also acknowledged.