Second Edition of the National Forum on Sustainable Tourism and World Heritage Sites
November 11, 2024, Cison di Valmarino (TV) – On November 18, 2024, the second edition of the National Forum on Sustainable Tourism and World Heritage Sites will take place at CastelBrando in Treviso. Titled “From Roots to New Trends: The Evolution of Sustainable Tourism in Italy’s Regions,” this event is organized in collaboration with TEHA and promoted by the Veneto Region and the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, with support from the Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and the Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco DOC.
The forum is set to bring together approximately 200 tourism industry experts, institutional representatives, and professionals for a discussion on key issues related to the sustainable development of Italy’s regions and local economies.
The program will open with a welcome address from the Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, followed by Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region. The inaugural session, moderated by Michele Galvan, the ANSA Veneto director, will feature Alessandra Priante, president of ENIT, who will provide a global overview of local impacts and the challenges facing sustainable tourism in Italy today. Benedetta Brioschi, Partner and Head of Food & Retail and Sustainability at The European House – Ambrosetti, will present the Strategic Report on Sustainable Tourism 2024, a key document guiding strategies and investments toward more mindful tourism that respects Italy’s cultural and natural heritage.
The section on Tourism Trends for 2025 will include insights from Valentina Reino, Director of Institutional Affairs at Airbnb, and Carlo Carollo, General Manager at The Fork, who will discuss the new directions of tourism, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
A central moment of the forum will be the roundtable Italy’s Tourism Heritage: Distinctive Values of Sustainable Tourism and World Heritage Sites, featuring key figures such as Federico Caner (Veneto Regional Councilor), Marina Montedoro (President of the Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene), Vincenzo Tinè (Superintendent of Archaeology and Fine Arts for Venice and Treviso), Bruno Bertero (Director for the Vineyard Landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato), Patrizio Scarpellini (Director of Cinque Terre National Park), and Sonia Anelli (Director of Pantelleria Island National Park).
The morning will conclude with the session Expanding Boundaries: Winning Strategies for Sustainable Tourism, where Andrea Canepari from the Directorate General for the Country System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mario Pozza (President of Assocamerestero), László Horváth (World Heritage Project Coordinator, Mission Tokaj), and Catherine Girard (Climats de Bourgogne) will share successful international strategies in promoting sustainable tourism.
The afternoon will begin with the session Collaborate to Innovate, moderated by Giovanni Stefani of TGR Rai, focusing on sustainable transition in Italian tourism. Notable guests include Giuseppe Cerasa (Director of Repubblica Guides), Marco Di Luccio (Director of Heritage at FAI), Maria Carmela Colaiacovo (President of Confindustria Alberghi), and Elisabetta Faggiana (CEO of Unexpected Italy).
The value of tourism for Italy’s agri-food industry will be the focus of a discussion with Ettore Prandini (President of Coldiretti), Filippo Polegato (Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG), Cesare Mazzetti (Qualivita Foundation), Maddalena Fossati (La Cucina Italiana), and Nicola Martelli (Consortium for the Protection of San Daniele Prosciutto).
The day will conclude with the session The Value of Major Sporting Events, moderated by Giovanni Bruno of Sky Sport, featuring prominent guests such as Diana Bianchedi (Fondazione Milano Cortina), Giancarlo Guidolin (Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco DOC), Cristina Chirichella (Prosecco DOC – Imoco Conegliano volleyball player), and Kristian Ghedina (former skier and alpine skiing coach).
