L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024 L'Italo-Americano 2 0 2 4 , a s o u r r e a d e r s k n o w , w a s t h e y e a r d e d i c a t e d t o Turismo delle Radici (Roots Tourism), an initiative that quickly became a landmark effort to recon- n e c t I t a l i a n d e s c e n d a n t s worldwide with their ances- t r a l r o o t s . D e s i g n e d t o encourage the millions of peo- ple of Italian origin living abroad to visit their forebears' towns and villages, the pro- gram achieved notable suc- cesses and managed to create cultural connections, to drive economic growth in lesser- known regions and to cele- b r a t e t h e u n i q u e b o n d between Italy and its diaspo- ra. One of the key features of this initiative was the creation of Italea, an innovative digi- t a l p l a t f o r m d e v e l o p e d t o facilitate roots tourism, which offers users a range of ser- vices, including genealogical research, personalized travel itineraries, and connections with local communities. For many visitors, the opportuni- ty to trace their family histo- ries and visit the towns their ancestors once called home was made simpler by Italea and its services, all aimed at creating a solid framework for s t r u c t u r e d e n g a g e m e n t between Italy and its global descendants. Throughout the year, the Italian government collabo- rated with more than 800 s m a l l m u n i c i p a l i t i e s across the country, which organized cultural events, fes- tivals, and workshops to show and present their local tradi- tions, crafts, and cuisines to warmly welcome travelers. Beyond providing a unique experience for visitors, these activities played a crucial role in revitalizing these commu- nities, some of which had suf- fered from depopulation and economic stagnation. Roots tourists often discovered the charm of these lesser-known regions, far removed from the usual tourist hotspots, breath- ing life into areas that had struggled to attract travelers in the past. Key to the success of the program has been the partnership between Italy's M i n i s t r y o f F o r e i g n Affairs and ITA Airways, which offered discounted air- fares to encourage participa- tion. Besides the emotional and cultural impact, Turismo delle Radici was very important — as we hinted at above — for t h e c o u n t r y ' s e c o n o m y : according to estimates, tap- ping into the Italian diaspora generated significant finan- cial returns, with potential revenues reaching as high as €141 billion (148.5 billion USD). This was especially important for small munici- palities, where this influx of tourism dollars helped sus- tain local businesses, support artisans, and reinvigorate hospitality sectors that had faced challenges, particularly during and after the COVID- 19 pandemic. Shops selling handmade goods, traditional r e s t a u r a n t s , a n d f a m i l y - o w n e d g u e s t h o u s e s w e r e some of the primary benefi- ciaries of this initiative, creat- i n g a r i p p l e e f f e c t t h a t ensured the economic bene- f i t s o f t o u r i s m w e r e f e l t across these communities. The cultural benefits were equally profound, because visitors not only explored their ancestral roots but also engaged with the living her- itage of the towns they visit- ed. Dialects, culinary tradi- tions, religious celebrations, and artisan crafts found a renewed audience among roots tourists; this, in turn, a c t u a l l y l e d t o a g r e a t e r appreciation for these tradi- tions among local residents, especially younger genera- tions, who took pride in shar- i n g t h e i r c u l t u r e w i t h a n international audience, or became familiar with part of their heritage for the first time. D e s p i t e t h e p r o g r a m ' s many successes, challenges were inevitable. One of the primary issues was ensuring that the influx of tourists did not overwhelm small towns, many of which lacked the infrastructure to accommo- date large numbers of visi- t o r s , a n d b a l a n c i n g t h e a u t h e n t i c e x p e r i e n c e promised by roots tourism with the practicalities of host- ing travelers required careful planning. The diverse expec- t a t i o n s o f v i s i t o r s p o s e d a n o t h e r c h a l l e n g e : s o m e sought immersive experi- ences involving local tradi- tions, others focused on the emotional and genealogical aspects of their journeys, and managing these varied priori- ties while maintaining the program's overarching goals was no small feat. Looking at individual suc- cess stories, the initiative's impact becomes more tangi- ble. Take, for example, the region of Molise, which has long been associated with migration. This small, often overlooked part of Italy wel- comed hundreds of descen- dants who embarked on jour- n e y s t o d i s c o v e r t h e i r ancestral villages: many of them shared heartwarming stories of meeting long-lost relatives, participating in age- old traditions, and uncover- ing family histories that had been obscured by time. For many, it was a powerfully transformative experience, which offered a sense of clo- sure, belonging, or simply a deeper understanding of their identity. Turismo delle Radici also highlighted the mutual bene- fits of reconnecting with the diaspora: for Italy, it was a chance to foster goodwill and strengthen ties with people who, though far removed by geography, still identify close- ly with their Italian heritage. For travelers, the initiative offered a gateway to explore a cultural identity that, for many, had been passed down through stories, recipes, and traditions, but was never experienced "first hand." It w a s a r i c h a n d l i v e l y exchange, which many saw as a m o m e n t w h e r e I t a l i a n s from Italy and Italians from the world finally embraced the idea of a shared owner- s h i p o v e r t h e c o u n t r y ' s incredible heritage. The lessons learned from 2024 could inform future iterations of Turismo delle Radici: The success of this initiative underscores the importance of engaging with diasporic communities as both cultural ambassadors and economic drivers, there- fore, expanding programs like Italea, increasing invest- ments in infrastructure for small towns, and building long-term collaborations with Italian communities abroad are all steps that could ensure roots tourism continues to flourish in the years ahead. For individuals interested in exploring their roots, the options remain plentiful. Planning a roots journey can start with platforms like Ita- lea, which provides essential resources for tracing family histories. E n g a g i n g w i t h l o c a l guides, participating in cul- tural events, and supporting local economies through ethi- cal tourism practices—such as minimizing harm to the environment, respecting local cultures, and ensuring eco- nomic benefits for communi- ties—can also deepen the experience. At the end of this eventful year, we can say that Turismo delle Radici was about travel- ing and getting to know one's heritage, but also — and espe- cially — about storytelling, identity, and rediscovery. By the end of 2024, the initiative had left an indelible mark on those who participated, as w e l l a s o n t h e t o w n s a n d regions that opened their doors to the world. LUCA SIGNORINI Turismo delle Radici: a year of reconnection and rediscovery 2024 was dedicated to Roots Tourism and is now time to assess how it went (Photo: Dorian2013z/Dreamstime) TOURISM OF THE ROOTS TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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