On Wednesday, 15 February, Farnesina housed the presentation of the NRRP Project “Turismo delle radici: una strategia integrata per la ripresa del settore del turismo nell’Italia post Covid-19” (Roots Tourism: An integrated strategy for the recovery of the tourism sector in post-Covid-19 Italy).
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanché, the Undersecretary for Culture, Gianmarco Mazzi, the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, and the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, took part in the event along with the members of the Italian Parliament, the Presidents of the Regional Authorities, Mayors and Representatives of Local Councils.
Following the opening event, a technical session divided into four panels:
- “I viaggi delle radici per la ripresa del turismo nell’Italia Post-Covid-19” (Roots travel for the recovery of tourism in post-Covid-19 Italy)
- “L’impatto del turismo delle radici sui piccoli comuni” (The impact of roots tourism on small municipalities)
- Presentation of the book Scoprirsi Italiani: i viaggi delle radici in Italia
- “Comunicare il Turismo delle radici” (Communicating Roots Tourism)
The previous event involved the Mayors of Municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants, among the primary recipients of the “Roots Tourism” Project.
The project – with an overall value of EUR 20 million – included in the National Resilience and Recovery Plan proposes adopting initiatives in the tourism sector aimed at the vast number of Italians and Italians of Italian origin in the world, thus contributing to its revival after the pandemic. With the “Roots Tourism” Project, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) intends to promote initiatives inspired by eco-sustainability and digitisation to enhance small Italian villages and rural areas through sustainable development dynamics. Such dynamics include the renovation and recovery of disused dwellings and infrastructures and favour the providers of local services and products.
Italian descendants worldwide represent a tourism segment with enormous potential for our country. They generate sustainable tourism and an international demand that uses the infrastructure all year round. It is estimated that Italian natives worldwide are between 60 and 80 million. The central target countries for Italian emigration are Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
ENIT estimates that between 2010 and 2019, more than 10 million tourists travelled to Italy from abroad to rediscover their roots. Their expenditure is estimated at more than EUR 5 billion.
“We want so many Italians who live abroad or are Italian descendants to be able to go back and discover where their grandparents lived. This message conveys the messages of Italian identity and tourism growth,” said Antonio Tajani.
