Covid late starting wine tourism but opens up new opportunities

(ANSA) - After a 2019 that in Italy has seen wine tourists increase by 7%, from 14 to 15 million; and + 6% turnover, from 2.5 to 2.65 billion euros, this year, even among vineyards and cellars, the effects of Covid-19 will inevitably be affected, but we work with great commitment because it is a temporary setback. This is what emerges from the XVI Report on wine tourism presented in webinar by the association of 460 cities of wine that are studying the restart with new methods - also for Calici di Stelle, scheduled for August - and above all new services, also virtual, and a wide and quality accessibility to the territories, with paths, cycle paths, cultural-food and wine itineraries and a new alliance between public and private.

For the President of the Cities of Wine Floriano Zambon for an effective rebirth of the "minor" Italy of the villages and the countryside, it is a priority to "extend and make more incisive the deductibility or at least the deductibility of the tourist spending of families. But above all to provide new funds for redevelop territories and for promotion ". Zambon then underlines the "strategic role of local institutions for the revitalization: wine tourism is an economic, sustainable and cultural heritage".

The XVI Report also analyzed a sample of 48-year-old wine tourists to outline the identikit of the wine lover traveling to Italy. 45% said they visited and spent a holiday period in the wine territories at least once a year; 30% more than once a year; 9% at least once a month.

And he is a predominantly "regional" wine tourist since 30% normally return home at the end of the day and 23% always return home. In 60% of cases, tourists have also declared that they visit the wineries of the region of residence more frequently.

For the daily hiker the cost translates on average to 80 euros between purchases and tastings; while for those who spend the night, the daily cost rises to 155 euros.

Finally, also this year Tuscany confirms the wine tourism region perceived as more attractive; followed by Piedmont, Trentino Alto-Adige and Veneto in the north and Campania in the south.

(ANSA).