The prospects of tourism in Langa and Roero
and the increasingly international vocation protagonists
during the Chapter of the Knights dedicated to the Summer Solstice
With the vineyards of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato now ready to show the first bunches of grapes, the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba concluded the spring season with the 325th Chapter, traditionally dedicated to the Summer Solstice. The meeting, held on Saturday 14 June in the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, was once again in the spirit of Internationality that distinguishes the recent activity of the Order. In fact, 35 Knights from the Swiss Delegation, 30 from the Rio de Janeiro Delegation and 11 from Singapore participated in the Chapter.
During the cultural part, Mariano Rabino, president of the Langhe Monferrato and Roero Tourism Board, gave an interesting and appreciated report entitled “Reality and prospects of the tourism sector”, presenting numbers and statistics. Introduced by Grand Master Tomaso Zanoletti, President Rabino observed:
“In just over twenty years, the Langhe have become a successful tourist destination on a global level. Today, while continuing to encourage this growth, we must also stop and reflect to understand what our strengths are and consolidate them, but also the elements of weakness, on which we must work even more”. And he added: “We must pay particular attention to global trends, the needs of modern travellers and the management of tourist flows. There is a need to deseasonalise our offer and expand it at a territorial level, to avoid the phenomenon of overtourism. Then there is the issue of hospitality, which has profoundly changed with the disproportionate growth of tourist rentals that inevitably compete with professional structures”. For Rabino, “an integrated approach is needed, in which food and wine represents only one of the many pieces of a more comprehensive offer that looks to the outdoors, culture, art and more, and in which above all the territory is valorised in its entirety, not by concentrating, but rather by expanding the range of action, thus preserving the value of the UNESCO territories in their fragility”.
During the investiture ceremony, 18 Postulants to Knighthood from all over the world received the collar. Grand Master Tomaso Zanoletti also appointed the President of the Tourism Board, Mariano Rabino, as Honorary Knight and announced the entry of Knight Giovanni Minetti into the Order’s Ruling Council.
“We welcome Giovanni Minetti to the Ruling Council with great conviction and satisfaction,” says Grand Master Zanoletti. “Minetti has an important curriculum of studies and professional commitment in both the public and private sectors: he was president of the Consorzio del Barolo e Barbaresco and is currently president of the Consorzio Alta Langa. He has a profound and passionate knowledge of the territory and his experience will be of help to the growth of our Order.”
The Chapter concluded with an aperitif and dinner prepared by chef Alessandro Mecca, from the restaurant Al Castello di Grinzane. In combination with the cooked dishes, the participants were able to taste the wines of the 49th Selection of the Order of Knights. A convivial and prestigious finale for an event that was able to combine tradition, taste, reflections and international scope.
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