Spending by foreign tourists in Italian restaurants, bars and public establishments continues to increase. In 2024 international visitors spent more than EUR 12 billion, an increase of 7.5% compared to 2023. Anticipations for 2025 indicate further growth and an expected total of around 12.68 billion euro, an increase of 5%. A value that confirms how Italian cuisine is now one of the main reasons for choosing a destination. This is what emerges from estimates drawn up by Fiepet-Confesercenti based on data from the Bank of Italy, Unioncamere and Movimprese, and released at the national assembly, where Giancarlo Banchieri was confirmed as the association’s leader.
A trend that could have further momentum if the Italian Cuisine should be recognised as Intangible Heritage of Unesco: the first positive technical opinion will be submitted to the final decision of the Intergovernmental Committee that will meet in India in New Delhi from 8 to 13 December. In the event of recognition, the impact on presences could be, according to Fiapet, at least 6-8% in the first years, and then settle on a more moderate growth, between 2% and 3%, over the next five years: overall, it is possible that the boost will generate about 18 million more tourist presences in two years.
“In addition to the increase in visitors, a range of economic and cultural opportunities would open up. The Mediterranean diet – explains Fiepet – would find a new international impetus; local specialities and the production territories of excellence could benefit from renewed attention; the demand for healthy eating models would grow, together with the potential for expansion of agri-food exports. In short, this would be a promotional lever of incalculable value for thousands of catering, agri-food and hospitality businesses’.
“Italian cuisine as a driver of tourism is a topic of extraordinary relevance for the country. Italian cuisine is not only a fundamental component of our cultural identity,’ said the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida in a video message sent to the Fiepet assembly, ‘it is an authentic economic driver, capable of generating value, employment and attractiveness in every territory, from small villages to large cities of art. We are talking about a total value of over 250 billion euros in 2024, with a 4.5% growth on an annual basis equal to 19% of the world market. Tourism linked to the production of excellence and to our cuisine, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status, is an opportunity that we must be able to fully grasp, transforming it into a strategic lever for the protection and growth of our territories’
Also supporting the Unesco candidacy is the Fipe Confcommercio, which is inviting Italian restaurateurs and establishments that are members of the Riae network (Authentic Italian Restaurants Abroad) to propose a dish that symbolises Italian tradition, accompanied by a message of support for the candidacy. “Italian cuisine is much more than a set of recipes: it is a way of life, a heritage of knowledge, gestures and relationships that unites territories, generations and people,” says president Lino Enrico Stoppani.
Dining and Cooking