Rispetti Turismo, a research and consultancy firm for the tourism industry, and ENIT (National Tourism Agency) have entered a three-year partnership to support shopping tourism in Italy. The collaboration includes ENIT's support for the next three editions of "Shopping Tourism - the Italian Forum," a key event in Italy on shopping tourism, scheduled for December 15, 2023, in Rome. Francesco di Cesare, President of Rispetti Turismo, highlighted the significant role of shopping in tourism, not just as an activity but as a factor influencing destination choices. Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, emphasized that shopping is part of tourists' experience, contributing to the national economy by promoting Italian products. Ivana Jelinic, President and CEO of ENIT, stressed the strategic importance of shopping for Italian economic development. Policies facilitating access to international shopping circuits, improving infrastructure, and collaborating with global brands are seen as essential to increase the attractiveness of territories.
The Tax Free Shopping service is expected to further increase incoming flows from high-spending countries, promoting the purchase of Made in Italy products. The reduction in the Tax Free shopping threshold is anticipated to generate positive impacts on the tourism chain and enhance Italy's appeal. The partnership aligns with the broader goal of promoting Italy as a shopping destination, considering that 2.3 million tourists chose Italy for a shopping holiday in 2023, according to the Shopping Tourism Italian Monitor by Rispetti Turismo. The forum will provide a platform for discussing and analyzing shopping tourism dynamics, attracting operators from the tourism and retail sectors. Italy stands as the first European destination for shopping by US tourists in 2023, surpassing France and the UK. Milan, Rome, and Naples are the top three Italian destinations for shopping tourism, according to the survey sample. The event will feature discussions on shopping tourism dynamics in historic city centers, focusing on tourists with high spending capacity. It aims to provide insights into potential demand markets, Made in Italy, and unconventional shopping places. Global Blue and Mastercard are the main sponsors of the 2023 edition of "Shopping Tourism - the Italian Forum." The collaboration seeks to enhance Italy's position in the shopping tourism sector and foster economic benefits for territories through the spending of visitors choosing Italy for their shopping holidays. The forum has been successful in previous editions, attracting over 800 participating operators and 150 speakers. The event is scheduled for December 15, 2023, in Rome.
Source: https://www.ilgolfo24.it/risposte-turismo-ed-enit-insieme-per-lo-shopping-tourism-in-italia/amp/
