Presentation of the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan for Tourism – Alfano: “Italy is the most photographed country on Instagram.”

“Italy is the most photographed country on Instagram. It is a country where everybody wants to go to sooner or later, to enjoy a first-hand experience of what it means “Vivere all’italiana” (The Italian way of life) and enjoy our countless beauties. Tourism accounts for 11.8% of the Italian GDP and 12% in terms of jobs. In 2015, 52 million people visited Italy, making it the 5th most popular destination in the world. It is an achievement that makes us proud but also launches a challenge. To stand up to it, we have developed a Strategic Plan for Tourism, to which the Farnesina has greatly contributed together with the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, the Regions, ENIT (Italian Tourist Board) and all the stakeholders involved in promoting Italy. The Strategic Plan focuses on innovation, digital technologies, capitalising on our heritage and our country, bringing the whole tourist system and economy back to centre stage in our national policy-making.”The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation made this comment in view of the event entitled “Italy a country for travellers – Presentation of the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan for Tourism,” which will take place at the Farnesina on 20 June, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.The initiative was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MIBACT), in cooperation with the Conference of Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces. The works will be opened by Minister Alfano, followed by Stefano Bonaccini, president of the Conference of  Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces, and Francesco Palumbo, MIBACT Director General for Tourism. The event will be attended by representatives of institutions and the academic and cultural world, including Fabio Maria Lazzerini, a member of the Board of Directors of ENIT. Vincenzo De Luca, MAECI Director General for Cultural and Economic Promotion and Innovation will moderate the conference. The Minister for Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, Dario Franceschini,  will make the closing remarks to the event.