Association of Historical Trademarks: The National Network of Historical Trademarks, Corporate Museums, and Archives Is Launched, Featuring 100 Companies and a Related Economic Impact of 60 Million Euros
24 June, 2026
Association of Historical Trademarks: The National Network of Historical Trademarks, Corporate Museums, and Archives Is Launched, Featuring 100 Companies and a Related Economic Impact of 60 Million Euros
- In 2025, industrial tourism attracted 5.4 million visitors and generated one billion euros;
- The new National Circuit already has 100 participating organizations spread across the entire country; it is expected to attract up to 300,000 visitors annually and serve as a tool for attracting and training young talent in the Made in Italy sector.
Rome, June 23, 2026 – More than 100 organizations, including historical archives, corporate museums, production sites open to the public, wineries, and iconic sites of industrial heritage: these form the core of the founding members of the National Network of Historical Trademarks and Corporate Museums and Archives, a project officially unveiled today during the 2026 General Assembly of the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks, held at Acea Heritage in the presence of Gianmarco Mazzi, Minister of Tourism, and Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy.
In the initial phase, thanks to the integration of these sites and the resulting increased visibility of the heritage involved, visits to participating sites are estimated to increase by approximately 100,000 people; once fully operational, the Circuit’s industrial heritage sites are expected to attract over 300,000 visitors, generating an economic impact of approximately 25 million euros and a ripple effect of up to 60 million euros.
The project involves the creation of a national digital platform dedicated to Historical Trademarks and corporate museums and archives, the publication of a national atlas of the relevant heritage, and the creation of the “Made in Italy Heritage Routes,” thematic itineraries designed to connect businesses, regions, and cultural attractions within a coordinated national network.
“As the Ministry of Tourism,” said Gianmarco Mazzi, Minister of Tourism, “we are committed to supporting initiatives that help expand and enhance the national tourism offering, focusing on authenticity, identity, and the quality of the experience. These are initiatives that highlight Italian “know-how” and the regions’ outstanding products, while strengthening the cultural and economic identity of destinations. The National Circuit of Historical Trademarks and Corporate Museums and Archives project fits into this framework; it represents a concrete and forward-looking initiative to systematize our areas of excellence and transform them into a true, widespread tourism infrastructure.”
“Historical Trademarks are drivers of Italy’s development, bridging the past and the future , ” states Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy. “They are active drivers of economic, cultural, and regional development, and today the registry includes over 1,030 entries. As you scroll through this list, the history and industrial landscape of our country clearly emerge—a landscape defined by excellence rooted in local communities and an industrial system that continues to generate value. This result does not mark the end of the journey, but rather the beginning of a broader path, in which the National Network of Historical Trademarks and Corporate Museums and Archives serves as an additional strategic tool for promoting and showcasing Italian manufacturing excellence.”
“The desire to promote Italy’s heritage of craftsmanship stems from the realization that industrial tourism has established itself in recent years as one of the most dynamic segments of the tourism industry,” comments Massimo Caputi, President of the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks. “According to data from Nomisma and Museimpresa, in 2025, industrial tourism sites in Italy attracted 5.4 million visitors—42% of whom were foreign—and the sector is worth a total of 1 billion euros: the real challenge today is not creating demand, but organizing the supply. It is with this goal in mind that the Circuit was created: to overcome existing fragmentation and build a recognizable, high-quality national network capable of showcasing individual experiences within a common framework. Through this project, which we are officially presenting today, we aim to foster synergy among businesses, regions, and institutions, making a decisive contribution to the seasonality of tourist flows, the promotion of regions through Italian craftsmanship, the development of an offering consistent with the values of “Made in Italy,” and the ability of historic businesses to attract, inspire, and train the talents of the younger generations.”
“Industrial tourism is not just a growing sector; it is a strategic opportunity to present business as a cultural phenomenon,” emphasizes Antonio Calabrò, President of Museimpresa. “Corporate archives and museums tell the story of Italian craftsmanship and the deep connection between businesses, local communities, the country’s manufacturing identity, and competitiveness. This project strengthens their role by integrating them into a more cohesive, visible ecosystem capable of generating value, while also leveraging social values.”
The National Circuit of Historical Trademarks and Corporate Museums and Archives is sponsored by the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks in collaboration with Museimpresa, the Italian Association of Corporate Archives and Museums, with scientific support from the Department of Social and Economic Sciences at La Sapienza University of Rome. The initiative stems from a project proposal submitted to the Ministry of Tourism as part of the 2025 National Unified Fund for Tourism (FUNT), which was approved and is now entering its operational implementation phase.
The project was presented by Armando de Nigris, Deputy Vice President of the Association of Italian Historical Trademarks, during the event, which also featured opening remarks by Ignazio Vacca, President of the ACEA Foundation, and a speech by Antonio Calabrò, President of Museimpresa, who offered reflections on the theme “Industrial culture, regions, and industrial tourism: a new infrastructure for the country.”