In Tuscany, 137 recognitions for wine routes, oil cities, and other itineraries promote rural campaigns, villages, and agricultural income. The region reaffirms its leading position in Italy (and globally) with 137 recognitions for enogastronomic paths, including wine cities, oil cities, organic cities, wine routes, and other itineraries connecting gastronomy, tourism, agriculture, and the environment. Tuscany surpasses Piedmont (123) and Campania (123), with Veneto (99), Sicily (88), and Sardinia (87) following behind. According to Coldiretti Tuscany, based on Ismea and Fondazione Campagna Amica's Territorial Quality Indicators Observatory analysis, two out of three tourists cite culture and food as primary reasons for planning trips or vacations. Thirty percent of the budget is allocated to dining, serving as an economic engine for rural areas and agricultural companies producing essential agricultural products vital for rural tourism activation.
Letizia Cesani, President of Coldiretti Tuscany, highlights Tuscany's agricultural heritage, positioning the region globally for rural hospitality, good food, and biodiversity. Tuscany's numerous enogastronomic itineraries covering hundreds of kilometers are a resilience factor in many marginal areas where agricultural enterprises are vital for community survival. Ninety-two percent of agricultural companies offering accommodation and typical catering services are located in mountainous and hilly areas. Tuscany's primacy in certified itineraries stems from its 55 Oil Cities, 23 Wine Roads, 48 Wine, Oil, and Flavors Cities, and 11 Organic Cities. Additionally, Tuscany boasts 22 Slow Food Presidia, 6 recognitions for rural landscapes, 35 for state reserves, 20 for WWF Oases, 4 FAI sites, 21 UNESCO heritage sites, 6 national parks, and 5 regional parks, along with 47 regional reserves and 34 state reserves, totaling 302 territorial recognitions. Campagna Amica markets and sales points have become landmarks for gastronomic souvenirs. Rural tourism benefits greatly from Tuscany's wealth of territorial brands, especially since the 2001 orientation law promoted by Coldiretti, which propelled agritourism hospitality. Today, Tuscany boasts 5,600 agritourism structures covering 97% of regional municipalities, attracting five million tourists, with a 20% increase in foreigners and a 13% rise in domestic visitors compared to pre-Covid times.
