Italian Cuisine Becomes UNESCO Heritage: a Cultural Triumph that Also Boosts Food Tourism

By Pierandrea Fanigliulo

The Italian Cuisine is officially included among the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, becoming the first gastronomic tradition in the world recognized in its entirety. The decision, reached unanimously by the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO, convened in New Delhi, consecrates a heritage that belongs not only to Italian tables but to the history, memory, and collective identity of an entire country.

According to what UNESCO defined, the Italian culinary tradition represents a «cultural and social fusion of gastronomic knowledge», a language through which Italians manage to «care for others, convey affection, and reconnect with their roots», offering communities an authentic way to tell their stories and interpret the world around them.

The news was met with thunderous applause at the Indian venue, rewarding a dossier that stood out among 60 applications from 56 countries. The candidacy work, coordinated by the jurist Pier Luigi Petrillo, highlighted the central role of historical entities such as Italian Cuisine, the Italian Academy of Cuisine, and the Casa Artusi Foundation, which have been committed for years to the protection and dissemination of the national culinary heritage.

The UNESCO recognition gives Italy a new world record in the agri-food sector: of the 21 Italian traditions currently listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage, 9 belong to the world of food, from rural techniques to the most well-known gastronomic expressions. A cultural treasure that tells a simple truth: in Italy, food not only nourishes but unites, identifies, narrates, and builds connections.

Food as a Global Attraction: Boom in Food Tourism

The UNESCO recognition comes at a historical moment when Italian cuisine is already, in fact, a global business card. A phenomenon confirmed by data released by ENIT – National Tourism Agency on the occasion of the Restaurant Day 2025, celebrated on May 17: food tourism is experiencing impressive growth, with an increase of +176% in stays, 2.4 million arrivals, and 395.5 million euros in international spending, a +9% compared to 2023.

Numbers that confirm how the culinary experience is now one of the most sought-after elements by foreign travelers. The main markets? United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and United States of America, an international quadrant that has long elected Italy as a preferred destination to experience an inimitable culture of taste.