Italian cuisine is an Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Italian cuisine has officially entered UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a historic milestone that celebrates its cultural richness, its biocultural diversity and its central role in the country's social life.
The announcement "Italian cuisine, between sustainability and biocultural diversity" inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage came during the twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention, underway in New Delhi, where Italy has seen an identity element that unites territories, communities and generations recognized.
According to the documentation presented, Italian cuisine is not just a set of culinary techniques: it is a daily practice made up of knowledge, rituals and gestures that express artisanal creativity, sharing, conviviality and respect for the environment. A living heritage that is handed down from north to south, enhancing local ingredients, seasonality and family traditions, contributing to the development of a shared and at the same time extremely varied cultural identity.
The UNESCO recognition comes at the end of a long process of study and collaboration between communities, institutions and operators in the sector, with the aim of representing the plurality of Italian food and wine traditions in a context of openness, hospitality and sustainability.
A cultural heritage that also drives tourism
The Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, expressed great satisfaction with a result defined as "historic", underlining how Italian cuisine represents a unique cultural model and, at the same time, a strategic economic asset for the whole country. The strength of the Italian gastronomic system lies in the combination of territory, conviviality and quality, an intertwining that supports a constantly growing tourism sector. While the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, underlined that Italian cuisine confirms its identity, cultural and social value, as well as its role in the construction of a shared collective memory and, to be protected, it is not a single dish, but the entire system of Italian cuisine.
In 2024, food and wine generated over 40 billion euros, an increase of 12% over the previous year. In the first four months of 2025, Travellers' spending on culinary experiences has already reached 9 billion euros, confirming food and wine as the first reason for choosing those visiting Italy.
Industry estimates also indicate that UNESCO recognition could promote, within two years, a growth of up to 8% in tourist flows, equal to about 18 million additional overnight stays: a result that further strengthens the position of Italian cuisine as a powerful lever of international attractiveness.
A legacy that unites Italy and communities around the world
In addition to the economic impact, Italian cuisine is an identity bond that involves 59 million residents and up to 85 million people of Italian origin in the world, creating a global cultural bridge made up of traditions, recipes, memory and conviviality.
Italian cuisine is confirmed as an international symbol of identity, sustainability and cultural beauty: one more reason for Travellers to choose Italy as a destination and discover, in every territory, the story and soul that each dish tells. A memorable journey into Italian taste and to admire, moreover, all the World Heritage Sites in Italy.
