For the first time in its 93-year history, the historic sailing ship Amerigo Vespucci—the Italian Navy’s training vessel and ambassador of “Made in Italy”—docked in Abu Dhabi from December 27 to 31, 2024. This visit marked the 31st stop on its global tour, which commenced in Italy on July 1, 2023. The arrival of the iconic ship was celebrated with an official welcoming ceremony in partnership with Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Mina Zayed and in collaboration with the “Visit Abu Dhabi” initiative.
During its stay in Abu Dhabi, the Amerigo Vespucci hosted the Villaggio Italia exhibition, an international event celebrating the “Made in Italy” brand. The exhibition brought together Italy’s “citizens of excellence” to showcase the nation’s cultural and industrial achievements, strengthening Italy’s global reputation.
The Villaggio Italia exhibition, held at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in collaboration with the “Visit Abu Dhabi” initiative, celebrated the strong relationship between Italy and the UAE. This event underscored the importance of Italy’s foreign policy and business strategies, reflecting its commitment to the vibrant Italian expatriate community in the UAE.
The Amerigo Vespucci World Tour – Villaggio Italia initiative, supported by Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Minister of Defense, was a collaborative effort involving 11 ministries and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Combining traditional naval training with maritime diplomacy, the initiative aimed to promote Italian excellence across key global industries. Abu Dhabi marked the seventh stop for the Villaggio Italia exhibition, following successful events in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, and Doha.
Several prominent figures attended the Villaggio Italia exhibition in Abu Dhabi, including Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies; Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defense; Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Senator Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of State for Defense; Lorenzo Fanara, Italian Ambassador to the UAE; Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Naval Fleet; and Luca Andreoli, CEO of Difesa Servizi.
The Amerigo Vespucci and the Villaggio Italia exhibition welcomed thousands of visitors during their time in Abu Dhabi, offering the public a rare opportunity to explore the ship and immerse themselves in the excellence of Italian craftsmanship and culture.
