The region of Liguria played a prominent role in the third edition of Roots-IN held in Matera, a two-day event focused on roots tourism and promoting Made in Italy. This edition took on special significance as 2024 has been designated the ‘Year of Italian Roots Worldwide‘, an initiative supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the cultural and familial connections that bind Italian descendants to their homeland.
With a global community of over 80 million Italian descendants, roots tourism presents a significant opportunity for the Italian tourism sector, encouraging initiatives aimed at rekindling ties to ancestral lands. Liguria actively participated in several discussion panels, focusing on themes of Italian identity and cultural belonging, with particular emphasis on the stories of Ligurians around the world. The session titled “Italian Identity as an Attraction Factor: Roots, Traditions, and Stories from Italian Regions” delved into the experiences of Ligurians who emigrated, highlighting how traditions and cultural values serve as key elements in attracting roots tourism.
In the final afternoon, the region took part in the concluding session “Italy in 2024, Year of Italian Roots Worldwide: Assessments and Future Prospects,” where the outcomes of initiatives undertaken this year were showcased. Among these were collaborations initiated during missions organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in countries with significant historical migrations.
The Liguria stand captivated numerous visitors by reviving the concept of the Hall of Excellence, introduced during the Boat Show. The theme of promoting Made in Italy was creatively tailored to a regional focus, with the brand “Made in Liguria” certifying the authenticity and quality of Ligurian offerings, from cuisine to craftsmanship.
Roots-IN continues to be a pivotal event for roots tourism, attracting over a thousand registered participants, 74 international buyers, and 155 Italian sellers, alongside 29 exhibitors and 13 represented Italian regions. These figures highlight the growing interest in this tourism segment and Italy’s potential as a destination for travelers of Italian descent.
