Italian Cuisine Moves Towards UNESCO Status: A Heritage for the World (and for the 2026 Olympics)
As a restaurateur who lives the value of Italian cuisine every day, I view the recent initial technical approval from UNESCO with great interest. The candidacy of our national cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage is not about protecting a single dish, but about recognising a cultural system built on ritual, biodiversity, and the transmission of knowledge – a language I see expressed daily in my conversations with both Italian and international guests.
The potential impact is significant. Early estimates suggest up to 18 million additional visitors attracted by food and wine tourism, in a sector already worth €40 billion and central to the broader tourism economy.
This possible recognition comes at a unique moment: just ahead of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. UNESCO status would offer visitors an immediate cultural compass, strengthening Italy’s image as a country capable of uniting sport, landscape, and culinary heritage. For regions such as Veneto, it represents an opportunity to transform Olympic flows into widespread, high-quality tourism.
For us restaurateurs, it would be both a responsibility and an opportunity: to protect our roots, innovate with respect, and welcome a more curious and informed public. For everyone, it would affirm that Italian cuisine truly belongs to the world.
Simone Vesentini
Caffè Monte Baldo
Verona
