Immigrant tours are gradually gaining popularity in Italy.

Italians have traditionally thought that immigrants, who make up 70% of the population, bring many negative things – a result of media coverage and articles portraying immigration as an "alien" invasion. However, the reality is that immigrants have contributed greatly to Italy, and they are willing to share their migration stories and contributions with Italians. This idea led to the creation of Migrantour (tours led by immigrants).

These tours cost an average of around $12, and there are currently over 150 immigrants working as freelance Migrantour guides. Tour participants are sometimes mistaken for tourists, but they are actually locals.

Rosina Chiurazzi, coordinator of Migrantour in Turin and also a tour guide, said: "The purpose of the tour is to affirm the value of the impact that the expatriate community has had on the region over the centuries." She also pointed out: "Italy needs to see immigrants as locals, rather than just focusing on their differences."

For a long time, immigrants in Italy have faced much prejudice from the local population. They are associated with images such as thieves, prostitutes, or domestic servants, even though they are simply sacrificing everything for a better future for their children.

Therefore, through tours led by immigrants, local people can have the opportunity to get closer to immigrants and understand the difficulties of having no other choice but to leave their families and countries for greater purposes, and understand the pain that those who are fortunate often do not know... From there, Italians can realize the truth that human movement is part of the social structure and immigration is always an inevitable and normal occurrence.

Learn more about our tours at: www.mygrantour.org

Lan Oanh - Kieu Mai