Milan is tourism

For Milan, Europe is the city’s natural domestic dimension, while the world is its constant arena of relations. There are many examples of the city’s international vocation, such as small businesses working with China, young people and their extraordinary vocation for mobility, even outside continental borders, the many associations encouraging international cooperation, and the social networks that in recent years have facilitated the integration of many immigrants.

All this would be impossible without a tried and tested system of international cooperation, in which Milan plays a leading role in projects for growth together with continental partners – cities, regions and countries at a regional dimension – performing a connecting function between east and west Europe, and with a bridge function towards the entire Mediterranean basin. Consolidated relations with Latin America and traditional business partners such as the United States are also important.

In addition, Milan has long laid the foundations for new relations with fast-developing countries such as China and India, and it has activated a series of cultural exchanges with advanced nations such as Japan, Australia and Canada.
Alongside traditional alliances, Expo 2015 will make it possible to consolidate a more extensive and durable network of international relations. This opportunity will enable Milan to step into a consolidated role as a hub for exchange, both with the north and the south of the world. It will be an international meeting place for questions regarding the sustainable management of energy at a planetary level, and more specifically the system of global nutrition. The objective will be to invest in a network of alliances, not just “for”, but above all “with”, the less fortunate nations of the industrialized Western world, applying the Milanese model of using relations as a method of increasing the potential of, and opportunity for, international cooperation.