TORONTO — The Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT) brought together dozens of tour operators and travel advisors in Toronto this week in support of Roots Tourism.

Held on June 14, the event welcomed approximately 50 Canadian tour operators and advisors and 13 Italian suppliers and experts, who all learned how to help Italian-Canadians reconnect with their heritage. According to the latest census data, approximately 1.8 million people in Canada identify has having Italian heritage.

The workshop featured a series of B2B meetings and presentations from several Italian regional representatives. Notable speakers included Giovanni Maria De Vita, Coordinator of the Roots Tourism Project at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Antonio Nicoletti, Director of A.P.T. Basilicata; Paolo Giuntarelli, Director of the Tourism Department for the Lazio Region; and Salvatore Micone, Head of the Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism for Molise Region.

With 2024 dedicated to Italian Roots Tourism, this year’s ‘ITALEA’ initiatives aim to entice Italians abroad and their descendants to rediscover the beauty and traditions of small villages their ancestors once called home. A variety of events have been planned in the Greater Toronto Area, coinciding with the CHIN International Picnic earlier this month and other celebrations planned for Italian Heritage Month. 

“The Italian National Tourist Board maintains a strong presence in countries with significant Italian communities, and we are confident in the success of various initiatives and events across Italy, particularly in the small villages and inner areas where many emigrants originated,” said Ivana Jelinic, ENIT’s CEO. “Roots Tourism seeks to offer travel experiences that blend family history research with an appreciation of the original culture of Italian ancestors. With nearly 80 million Italian descendants worldwide, this is a valuable resource that we continuously integrate into our diverse activities.”