Emilia-Romagna Showcases Culinary Delights and Pilgrimage Trails at Rimini Meeting

The Emilia-Romagna region showcased its exceptional food and experiential pilgrimage tourism at the 2018 Rimini Meeting, held from August 19th to 25th. A collaborative effort between APT Servizi Emilia Romagna and the Regional Department of Agriculture, the regional stand hosted 34 events, including daily tastings and presentations of new walking and pilgrimage routes. This initiative highlighted the region’s commitment to high-quality food and slow tourism, inviting visitors to explore its culinary treasures and scenic trails. Regional Tourism Minister Andrea Corsini emphasized the Meeting’s significance in promoting Emilia-Romagna’s natural, faith-based, and cultural attractions along its pilgrimage routes. He noted the growing importance of religious tourism, citing Italian National Tourism Research Institute data indicating 5.6 million domestic and over 3 million international visitors. Regional Agriculture Minister Simona Caselli highlighted the region’s participation in showcasing its 44 certified PDO and PGI food products, underscoring the region’s dedication to promoting its agricultural excellence. The seven-day event included 34 scheduled presentations, including tastings, educational sessions on healthy eating for all ages, and discussions about “experiential tourism,” a rapidly expanding market. Visitors could sample regional specialties like Piacenza cured meats, Squacquerone cheese, Modena balsamic vinegar, and Piadina Romagnola flatbread. The schedule also featured presentations of two regional cookbooks, focusing on traditional recipes and culinary journeys. Furthermore, four new pilgrimage trails were unveiled, supplementing the existing fourteen. These new routes included the Alta Via dei Parchi, Via Romea Germanica Imperiale, Via della Lana e della Seta, and Viae Misericordiae. Existing routes like Romea Strata, Sant’Antonio, Via degli Abati, Piccola Cassia, and Via degli Dei were also highlighted. The event promoted several social-trekking opportunities along the Via Matildica del Volto Santo, Via Romea Germanica, and Via degli Abati with registration available through camminiemiliaromagna.it. A “Fuori Salone” initiative offered a guided walking tour along the initial stretch of the San Francesco pilgrimage route on August 24th. The Emilia-Romagna regional tourism department and the Emilia-Romagna Episcopal Conference’s Office of Pastoral Tourism collaborated on the “Cammini” project, further enhancing the synergy between tourism and agricultural products along the pilgrimage routes. Romagna a Tavola promoted the event but was not the organizer. For further information, please contact the organizers directly.