Mazzi to focus on cultural and roots tourism after Spoleto Festival

Mazzi to focus on cultural and roots tourism after Spoleto Festival

At the presentation of the 69th Festival Dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, the newly appointed tourism minister Gianmarco Mazzi signalled that cultural tourism and so‑called roots tourism will be key priorities for the ministry.

Mazzi estimated that spending linked to cultural travel in Italy can reach €50–80 billion, calling it a fundamental component of the national tourism economy. He also highlighted roots tourism — descendants of Italian emigrants who, even if they no longer speak Italian, wish to return to see where their ancestors came from.

• Goal: enhance the cultural offer to attract higher‑spending visitors.
• Roots tourism: develop initiatives to strengthen ties with the diaspora (estimated 70–80 million people of Italian descent).
• Context: announcement made at the Festival Dei Due Mondi in Spoleto; the culture minister was absent.

The statement frames culture as the engine of tourism and signals an intent to create products and services tailored to visitors seeking cultural experiences and ancestral roots.