Home » TOURISM NEWS » Germany, France, and the United States Drive Culinary Tourism Surge, Prompting Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines to Expand Flights to Italy as Hospitality Sector Sees Record Growth
Published on
October 19, 2025
Germany, France, and the United States are leading the surge in culinary tourism to Italy, a country renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and, of course, its iconic food. As tourists from these nations flock to Italy in search of authentic Italian culinary experiences, airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines are expanding their services to meet the growing demand. This culinary craze has not only prompted airlines to add new routes but also driven a significant boost in Italy’s hospitality industry, with hotels and restaurants benefiting from the influx of food-loving travelers. Whether it’s the rich wines of Tuscany, the fresh pasta of Bologna, or the seafood of Sicily, Italy continues to be a top destination for those seeking to explore its diverse and world-renowned food culture.
Germany, France, and the United States Lead the Way in Culinary Tourism
Italy is famous for its delicious meals, wonderful wine, and culture, and is consistently one of the most visited countries in the world. In recent years, the country has become a leader in culinary tourism, especially from Germany, France, and the United States. This increase in culinary tourism is causing hospitality personnel to revise revenue and booking projections for major airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines. Food enthusiasts and culture travelers have the best opportunity to discover Italy.
This article investigates how culinary tourism is influencing Italy’s tourism industry, as well as any information tourists need for their next trip to Italy.
Germany, France, and the US Take the Lead in Culinary Tourism to Italy
Among the different niches of tourism, Italy stands out as one of the most popular destinations for culinary tourism, which focuses on culinary experiences in a particular location. Germany, France, the US, and Italy tourism to Italy goes along with the gastronomy tourism in these countries is Italy’s biggest international tourist market.
How German Interest in Italian Cuisine is Changing
Germany is still one of the biggest source markets for Italy tourism, and a big part of Germany’s Italy tourism is culinary tourism. As of 2023, Germany sent more than 13.5 million tourist to Italy, and a bulk of them were culinary tourists. Bologna, Florence, and Milan are the main tourists destinations for German culinary tourists who come to enjoy the culinary Italian classics which includes fresh pasta, risotto, and regional wines. The gastronomy tourism in Italy is one of the reason culinary tourists are expanding.France Flocks to Italy for Culinary Delights
Italy and France are very close friends, and as neighbors, they share deep culinary ties. This is seen particularly in Italy’s wine regions, and olive groves, as well as extravagant culinary offerings. France is also Italy’s biggest tourist operator. Approximately 7.6 million visitors to Italy came from France, many of which came for the culinary experiences France. This is why Air France has increased the number of direct flights to Florence, Bologna and, of course, Rome. France as attracts tourists to the Tuscans forbidding vineyards, and to the rustic pasta in Emilia-Romagna. Tourists, or travelers as they are called in France, admire the easy access for Air France flights to Italy’s deep cultural cuisine.
The US’s Impact on Italian Culinary Tourism
The United States is a significant part of Italy’s culinary tourism growth. More and more Americans are trying to find authentic culinary experiences abroad, and Italy is one of the most popular destinations. As per the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT), Americans are one of Italy’s most prominent foreign tourists, with more than six million Americans visiting Italy each year. This is a trend that American Airlines have been quick to respond to, increasing the number of flights from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to Italy. US tourists are very interested in trying Italy’s regional food, especially Sicilian arancini, Neapolitan pizza, and Piedmontese truffles.
Airlines Expanding Culinary Tourism in Italy
Major airlines have increased their flights to Italy in response to the growth in demand from Germany, France, and the United States. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines have all increased the number of flights to popular Italian cities famous for their culinary culture.
Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship airline has increased the available routes for direct flights to Italy vacation due to the increase in German Tourists. We will add more daily flights to Rome, Milan, and Venice for our customers traveling from Frankfurt and Munich. For long-distance flights, premium airline seats for comfortable travel. For tourism, specially designed in the air Italian cuisine will be available for order. Italian brand food and wine collaborations with Lufthansa will allow travelers to experience the best Italy has to offer from the air.
Lufthansa’s lunch Air France has also increased the number of flights to Italy to optimize the culinary tourism that is enjoy in France. New routes to Florence, Bologna, and Naples allows our customers to taste Italian cuisine and wine. From Paris, customers to Air France Italy flights have the best, and Italians food and wine will be served to the travelers as they arrive in Italy through Air France’s collaboration with Italian wine producers.
American Airlines Responds to American Interest in Italian Cuisine.
American Airlines has recently taken to providing service to Italy after starting direct flights to Rome and Milan from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These routes are designed to serve the increasing demand for flights to Italy from American tourists who for the country’s culinary offerings. American Airlines expanded their services to include food and wine tasting tours in Florence and Tuscany and exclusive premium packages for even these tours. They even partnered with Italian chefs to provide hands-on classes to travelers. Tourists can partake in classes and then visit culinary markets in Florence.
How the Hospitality Industry Benefits from Culinary Tourism.
The Italian hospitality industry as a whole is also benefitting from the culinary tourism boom, and the hospitality industry in Italy is also reaping the rewards. With culinary tourists coming to the country for food tourism, hotels and restaurants, and even tour operators have also seen substantial increases in their revenues.
Record Growth of Hotel Bookings
Italy’s tourism reached an all-time high in 2023 with about 146.3 million tourists, many of whom came for Italy’s varied cuisine. Bookings for big-name hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental increased in Florance, Rome, and Bologna, which are famous in Italy for their cuisine. Along with accommodations, these hotels provide grocery packs with guided food tours, cooking classes, and special dinners with local chefs for guests, which has increased hotel bookings. Consequently, these offers increased hotel bookings even more across Italy.
Boutique Hotels and Culinary Tourism
Italy’s smaller, boutique hotels have begun piloting their own versions of culinary tourism. These hotels provide food and wine pairings that include more hands-on experiences like truffle hunting in Tuscany and leadership in wine tastings in Piedmont. These hotels enhance the guest experience even more by allowing these patrons to book these experiences directly with the concierge. Since these experiences and the boutique hotels are in more authentic Italian cities like Siena, which is known for their true Italian cuisine, foodie tourists are more inclined to visit these boutique hotels.
Italian Restaurants Capitalizing on Foodification Trend
Italy’s restaurants are experiencing great benefits from the foodification trend. These restaurants have started providing distinct food offerings and culinary experiences, helping Italy’s restaurants and culinary offerings attract tourists from across the globe. Restaurants located in Italy’s bigger cities, like Rome, Florence, and Milan, are starting to prepare dishes with locally sourced, authentic ingredients. These are then paired with Italian region wines from Tuscany, Veneto, and Sicily, earning restaurants even more positive attention. Such restaurants have received positive attention from tourists interested in experiencing Italy cuisine, and are spending time in restaurants that are a blend of rustic and modern.
Travel Tips for Food Lovers Visiting Italy
For people that have a culinary trip planned in Italy, here are some tips to help in having a great trip culinary and food wise.
Best time to book flights for great prices
Due to Italy’s culinary offerings, airports have many tourists. This causes the flights and air prices to fluctuate rapidly. For great prices, flights should be bought as early as possible. Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines provides good flights and connections to Italy and if bought early, can be cheaper.
Plan Your Culinary Journey Based on Regions
Every part of Italy has its own kind of cooking. Think of the saffron-infused risottos of Lombardy, the huge bowls of creamy fettuccine alfredo of Lazio, and the briny fish soup of Naples. Consider the cuisine of a particular Italian region to chart your Italian trip. For, say, a vineyard and wine cellar tour and tasting sessions, the verdant Tuscan hills and Piemonte is your best bet. Looking for seafood? The Amalfi Coast and Sicily is your best bet!
Consider Staying in a Boutique Hotel
For an even more customized experience, a boutique hotel is a good option. Note that many of them are in more remote areas, like hilltop towns and villages, and that is where the Italian “home” cuisine will be as well! You may remember the Il Salviatino in Florence, and Hotel Palazzo Murat in Positano has cooking classes and farm-to-table dining experiences!
Enjoy Local Food Markets
Food Markets are an important part of Italian culture and are recommended to every food lover. The famous Mercato Centrale in Florence, Campo de’Fiori in Rome, and Mercato del Capo in Palermo are some of the Italian markets including fresh produce, meats, cheese, and pastries. Authentic Italian food can be sampled in these markets. To gain a deeper appreciation of Italian cuisine, food demonstrations and culinary tours are available. These markets are the perfect place to immerse oneself in Italian culinary traditions.
Enjoy Italian Street Food
In addition to great Italian dining, there are great Italian street food offers. Pizza al taglio, arancini, and panzerotti are some Italian roadside delicacies recommended to be tasted. These offerings are generally sold by local vendors and are great additions to a Ialian cuisine meal on the go. Pizza al taglio is sold in Rome, arancini are available in Sicily, and panzerotti are sold in Milan.
Germany, France, and the United States are fueling a surge in culinary tourism to Italy, prompting airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines to expand their routes. This growing trend is also boosting the hospitality sector as food-loving travelers flock to Italy’s gastronomic hubs.
Final Thoughts
Tourism for Italy’s cuisine is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors in the whole world! Every year, Italy is the destination for millions of tourists seeking for diverse culinary experiences. Lufthansa, Air France, and American Airlines have already increased their flights to Italy’s most famous culinary areas. Immerse yourself in Italy’s cuisine and you will find yourself wanting more. Every year, Italy captures the hearts and the taste buds of millions of tourists. Italy satisfies your craving for street snacks, delicious pasta, and fine wines.
These days, organizing your Italy trip is simple. Every essential is well documented from flights to every fine dining and culinary experience Italy has to offer. With the right plans, you will have the best culinary experience in one of the prettiest countries in the world.
Dining and Cooking