In recent years, Italy has witnessed exponential growth in olive oil tourism, an emerging sector that is following in the footsteps of wine travel from two decades ago. Olive oil tourism offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in olive-growing traditions, discover the production processes of extra virgin olive oil, and appreciate local excellence.
A key player in this evolution is the National Association of Oil Cities (Città dell'Olio), which brings together over 500 Italian olive-growing communities. The association is dedicated to promoting and enhancing extra virgin olive oil through initiatives such as the Camminata tra gli Olivi (Walk Among the Olives), which allows visitors to explore historic olive groves, and the Premio Turismo dell'Olio (Oil Tourism Award), recognizing the best oleotourism experiences. (cittadellolio.it)
From January 30 to February 1, 2025, the Fiera del Levante in Bari hosts EVOLIO Expo, the first international B2B trade fair dedicated to Mediterranean EVOO. The event aims to create new business opportunities by connecting Italian and international producers and buyers while promoting a unique heritage. (evolioexpo.com)
Olive oil tourism at EVOLIO Expo: Key Insights from the Panel Discussion
During EVOLIO Expo, a panel on oil tourism was held, featuring distinguished speakers, including:
- Roberta Garibaldi, Italian Association for Food & Wine Tourism
- Stefano Tulli, Winedering – Food & Wine Experiences
- Elisabetta Moro, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Suor Orsola Benincasa University, Naples
- Antonio Balenzano, General Director of Città dell'Olio
- Nicola Di Noia, General Director of Unaprol
- Federico Sisti, Secretary General of the Umbria Chamber of Commerce
The discussion was moderated by Fabiola Pulieri, journalist and expert in food & wine tourism.
As a leader in wine tourism with Winedering.com, we had the honor of participating in this panel, sharing our experience and emphasizing the strong synergy between wine tourism and oil tourism. Beyond products, the real connection lies in the entrepreneurial strategies that can be replicated in the oleotourism sector, ensuring sustainable growth and enhancing local economies.
Olive oil tourism: A Major Opportunity for Italy’s Tourism Industry
This sector represents an extraordinary opportunity to enhance Italy’s olive-growing heritage, offering visitors authentic experiences and contributing to the economic development of local communities.
We are thrilled to be actively involved in this movement, leveraging our expertise to promote and support the evolution of food & wine tourism in Italy and beyond.
A special thanks to the organizers and panelists for contributing to such a rich and stimulating discussion on the future of olive oil tourism in Italy. 🚀