ROMA (ITALPRESS) – “Viaggio in eccellenze” continues Italian PDO and IGP undertaken by ITA Airways, in collaboration with Origin Italia (Italian Association of Consortia of Geographic Indications), Qualivita Foundation and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF). The initiative, which started on 3 November, is dedicated to the valorization of Italian agri-food excellences to Geographical Indication, in synergy with the candidacy of Italian cuisine to Immaterial Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. For the occasion in the Hangar Lounge ITA Airways within Rome Fiumicino Airport, they met: Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida, Francesco Lollobrigida, President of ITA AIRWAYS Francesco Pappalardo, President of Origin Italy Cesare Baldrighi and President of Airports of Rome Francesco Nunziata.
“We are ambassadors of Italy in the world” said the president of ITA Airways Sandro Pappalardo – The air carrier is not simply a means of transport, but it is a showcase of our Italy, so we try to emphasize everything that is beautiful in Italy. Our agrifood products are among the most sought after excellence and we have the duty to illustrate and tell them.” “We are working on these paths – he adds – because we try to improve our product more and more. We are studying some projects both in the lounges, but also on board”, explained Pappalardo about the possibility to land the products symbol of excellence even in the catering on board the aircraft.
“It’s not a simple tasting path but a cultural and emotional journey that will see more than 40 consortia of protection with more than 70 appointments,” Nunziata said, talking about this project that involves both the Fiumicino and Milan Linate lounge. “Since its birth, ITA has given itself the vocation of ambassador of Italy in the world with great attention to the quality of the reception services of our assistants to customers and services we provide in the lounges. Therefore this path is incardin in all this. We have the ambition that all this will not end in December but continue, because feedback from 3 November is highly positive. We intend to continue this project in 2026. We are a gear of the Italian system that when it comes to quality, institutions and enterprises becomes an extraordinary model”.
Over 40 Consorzi di Tutela are protagonists in the ITA Airways lounges of Rome Fiumicino (Hangar and Piazza di Spagna) and Milan Linate (Runway), as remembered by Pappalardo, where every week they are alternating to tell and taste the products symbol of the national agro-food heritage. The initiative includes over 70 tasting events, during which the PDO and PGI products are offered in dedicated spaces, with the support of experts of the Consortia who illustrate the distinctive features, history and cultural value of each excellence.
“Ita offers quality in terms of services and hospitality, honoring us every day of professionalism and quality. Hosting is the most correct term when it comes to Italy,” said Lollobrigida. The Qualivita Foundation, for years a point of reference in the promotion of Italian productions DOP, IGP and STG, supports the consortia and institutions in strengthening the culture of quality food.
The MASAF, collaborating with the project “Viaggio in eccellenze”, renews its commitment to the protection and promotion of the agri-food heritage and of the Italian food and wine traditions of which the Geographic Indications are attentive to them. “Origin Italia represents 80 consortia of protection, 80 denominations, which are the point of excellence of Made in Italy. The geographical indication products in Italy represent 20 billion turnover. At least more than half is exported, so a carrier, like ITA, which promotes our products and makes them known becomes a vehicle of information and knowledge for the many citizens of the world”, said Baldrighi. “Our productions are often marginal territories, which bring tradition and culture in areas where these activities represent the main economy of the country and the territory, dragging the value of Italy,” he explained, “we need this vehicle to have the best response in international markets”.
– Photo xl5/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
