Md.net, opportunities for tourism. Meeting in Bologna with stakeholders
“Mediterranean diet as a driver for touristic development- possible enforceability at a regional level” was the topic of the meeting with stakeholders in order to design the strategy for the development of regional pilot projects.
The meeting was held in Bologna on November 20th, 2019 in the headquarters of Confcommercio Emilia-Romagna.
The meeting falls within the MD.net European Project on Mediterranean Diet of which the Emilia-Romagna regional government is a partner.
Which agri-food products belong to the Mediterranean Diet? Which opportunities for tourist products development in connection with the Mediterranean Diet? How to include the Mediterranean Diet within the regional promotion of excellence food and wines? How to increase the adoption of the Mediterranean Diet in consumers.
The above questions have been asked to stakeholders by Giulia Dal Bò and Paola Ragazzini, Iscom Group srl coordinators of the meeting.
Maura Mingozzi and Rossana Mari, in charge of the MD.net project for the Emilia-Romagna regional government while illustrating the project pointed out that hotels and restaurants that will develop menus dedicated to the Mediterranean Diet will have the possibility to use the distinguished project logo.
Chiara Astolfi (VisitRomagna) illustrated the main institutional projects for the promotion of tourism on the coast. She also pointed out that in some decades, due to climate change some products that belong to Mediterranean Diet like for instance bluefish will disappear. Together with “Romagna Osteria” Astolfi maintained that there is a collaboration in place for the promotion of quality products and the MD.net project can add value to this promotion. “Our main effort at the moment is focused on the use of local products in the coast”
Stefano Predieri, of the Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council (CNR), informed stakeholders that the Institute is training expert taster for the promotion of Mediterranean Diet products, like extra virgin olive oil, which in Emilia-Romagna boast the excellence of two PDO’s (Brisighella and Colline di Romagna). Other products that fall within the Mediterranean Diet are fruit (with some regional PGI), tomato, not only for industrial use and alternative protein sources like legumes and mushrooms. PGI Piadina Romagnola, too can be prepared with ingredients in line with Mediterranean Diet.
Luca Braggion of Adiconsum believes that it is necessary to “try to build a systemic awareness, because still now too many people do not know what they eat”
Antonio Gurrieri stressed out that catering companies will have to work in order to comply with the needs and requests of consumers, with an innovative and professional approach.
According to Andrea Castiglioni (Confcommercio Rimini) “ experiential tourism is based on food and wine cuisine but this implies costs for companies and ways to reach small producers.
Matteo Amigoni illustrated the tools and training opportunities both for operators and for people who work in the catering field and he also pointed out the opportunities for project development
Here is the list of stakeholder who took part in the meeting:
- Matteo Amigoni, Iscom ER (Institute for the development of trade and tourism of Emilia-Romagna)
- Chiara Astolfi, Visit Romagna
- Luca Braggion, ADICONSUM Emilia-Romagna (Consumers and environment protection Association of Emilia Romagna)
- Andrea Castiglioni, Confcommercio Rimini
- Antonio Gurrieri, Federazione Italiana Pubblici Esercizi Emilia-Romagna (Italian Federation of Public Enterprises)
- Maura Mingozzi, Servizio turismo, commercio e sport, Assessorato Turismo Commercio e Sport, Regione Emilia-Romagna (Tourism, trade and sport division. Tourism, Trade and Sport Department- Emilia-Romagna Regional Government)
- Rossana Mari, Servizio innovazione, qualità, promozione e internazionalizzazione del sistema agroalimentare, Assessorato Agricoltura Caccia e Pesca, Regione Emilia-Romagna (quality, promotion and internazionalization of the agrifood system- Agriculture, Hunting and Fishing Department, Emilia-Romagna Regional Government)
- Stefano Predieri, CNR – Istituto di BioEconomia IBE (Institute of Bioeconomy – National Research Council)