Tourists spend 23 billion euros a year in restaurants in Italy

Tourists spent 23 billion euros (R$ 143 billion) in restaurants in Italy in 2024, confirming gastronomy as one of the drivers of an industry that represents more than 10% of the national gross domestic product (GDP).

The number was released this Wednesday (8) by the confederation of traders Confcommercio, on the occasion of the TTG Travel Experience fair, in Rimini.

"In 2024, spending by Italian and foreign tourists in restaurants exceeded 23 billion euros, generating 11 billion in added value in almost 3,300 Italian tourist destinations. This value is concentrated mainly in the great cities of art – Rome, Venice and Florence – but spreads throughout the country, from coastal destinations to mountainous places," the study says.

The report also highlights how cuisine represents an instrument of global soft power, thanks to a network of more than 90,000 Italian restaurants around the world, which strengthen the country's image and often stimulate the desire to visit.

"I want to thank the restaurant owners, a group that has demonstrated great passion and resilience, dedicating themselves body and soul to this. Let's remember that it wasn't long ago that everything was closed," said Italy's Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, in a speech at the Rimini fair.