Food-driven travel to Italy is expected to reach new highs in 2026, confirming the country’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for culinary tourism. Recent travel behavior shows that more than 45% of visitors to Italy choose their destination primarily for food and wine experiences, a figure that places Italy among the top global markets for gastronomic travel.
Italy’s strength lies in its scale and diversity. Across the country, more than 2,000 restaurants are officially recognized for high-quality cuisine, ranging from fine dining to casual local establishments. Over 370 restaurants hold top international culinary distinctions, spread across all 20 regions.
