Italian holiday expenditures highlight the significance of dining experiences, with over one-third of the budget allocated to meals in restaurants, pizzerias, trattorias, and agriturismi, as well as street food or culinary souvenirs from markets, festivals, and local fairs. Coldiretti's analysis, released during Bit 2024, underscores the substantial economic impact of dining, estimated at over 30 billion euros in 2023, contributed by both Italian and foreign tourists. This analysis emphasizes the profound historical and cultural value of Italy's national food and wine heritage, widely spread across the country. Coldiretti emphasizes that the valorization of this heritage is pivotal for numerous economic and employment opportunities. Furthermore, dining serves as a powerful tool for promoting Italian cuisine globally, with Coldiretti estimating its value reaching a record 64 billion euros in 2023.
In Veneto, approximately 60,000 agricultural enterprises generate a turnover of nearly 8 billion euros, combined with the "DOP Economy" valued at around 4 billion euros. This renowned production forms the foundation of menus offered by 1,613 agritourism activities, which provide hospitality and catering services, reflecting a 2.7% growth compared to 2021, with 33% owned by women. Veneto's agriturismos attracted nearly 400,000 tourists in 2023, marking a 6.5% increase compared to 2019. These tourists contributed to a total of 1.15 million days of attendance, with over half arriving from abroad. The region boasts 934 companies, representing 58% of the Veneto total, offering dining options with over 60,000 seats available. Additionally, the custodian farmers enhance regional biodiversity, offering sought-after specialties favored by renowned chefs and gourmet enthusiasts. A noteworthy effort by Coldiretti aims to ensure dignity and fair income for Italian farmers, crucial for safeguarding the success of the tourism sector, which relies heavily on the quality of products cultivated in Italian fields and stables. Italy has emerged as a global leader in food and wine tourism, driven by its commitment to sustainable agriculture, as highlighted by Coldiretti's data on organic farming, DOP/Igp/Stg specialties, wines, and traditional food products.
