UNESCO recognition for Italian cuisine: a catalyst for tourism, export and cultural identity
On 10 December 2025, Italian cuisine was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During a recent international forum held in Milan as part of Tuttofood, policy makers, chefs and industry leaders considered the designation an opportunity to strengthen export, cultural influence and food tourism.
Speakers at the forum agreed that the UNESCO listing should be a starting point for a coordinated national strategy rather than a final objective. Core topics included raw material quality, professional training, market regulation and sustainability.
Economic impact: the recognition can enhance the premium positioning of Italian products abroad and support higher-value exports.
Tourism: food-related experiences are among the strongest draws for visitors, who typically spend more and stay longer.
Training: investing in chef and hospitality education is essential to export culinary know-how while preserving identity.
Safeguarding traditions: promoting regional recipes and highlighting typical local ingredients helps preserve cultural heritage.
Practical recommendations from the forum included:
targeting premium distribution channels to raise export value;
developing training paths and educational programs for young people entering the culinary professions;
aligning public policies on market rules, quality standards and sustainability to support small and medium enterprises;
integrating tourism promotion with authentic culinary experiences based on local supply chains.
Figures and expectations: institutional contributions at the event suggested the UNESCO designation could lift the value of Italian agri-food exports by about 6%-8% and attract up to 18 million additional tourists per year, provided appropriate policies are implemented.
The overarching conclusion was that Italy must combine institutional action, business initiatives and education to safeguard its culinary heritage and convert the UNESCO recognition into measurable, sustainable development.
Where it is
Location: Strada Statale del Sempione, 28, 20017 Rho MI, Italia
Coordinates: 45.519756, 9.078129
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Dining and Cooking