At the Bergamo Trade Fair, three days dedicated to slow, active, and outdoor tourism are being prepared. From February 16 to 18, the 9th edition of Agri and Slow Travel Expo – Territories Fair will take place, serving as an exceptional international showcase for Italian villages and territories.
Enthusiasts of slow tourism can explore the best destinations and sustainable, authentic vacation proposals (free entry), while professionals in the field have a dedicated B2B section with workshops and pre-scheduled appointments in 15-minute slots, bringing together sellers and 40 buyers from Italy and abroad, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.
Slow tourism, a growing trend
Presented recently in Lombardy by the assessors Barbara Mazzali (Tourism and Fashion) and Paolo Franco (Housing and Social Housing), along with Agri and Slow Travel Expo Project Manager Stefania Pendezza and Promoberg Operations Director Carlo Conte, the 2024 edition promises to be rich in events and innovations. Covering an exhibition area of 13,000 square meters, across 2 pavilions, the expo will host over 200 exhibitors, including public and private entities, DMOs, consortia, associations, and tour operators, representing 14 Italian regions. This is a unique opportunity to promote the immense beauty of Italy’s natural and cultural heritage.
8 themes will be at the forefront of sustainable and experiential tourism: sustainability, gastronomy, cycling tourism, mountains, hiking trails, accessibility, waterways, and folklore. With over 150 events, including show cooking, conferences, presentations, meetings, concerts, and performances, the expo aims to showcase Italy’s authentic charm.
Stefania Pendezza, Project Manager of Agri and Slow Travel Expo, explained: “We are witnessing a clear shift in tourists’ destination choices, as they become more aware that a vacation is a moment of discovery, cultural growth, and rejuvenation, which only places away from crowds and immersed in nature can provide. Here, we bring authentic Italy that can be discovered on foot, by bike, along waterways, drawn to nature, sports, spirituality, and good food.”
New additions for 2024
One exciting addition this year is the gravel bike competition organized by Gravel Franciacorta, covering 70 km on gravel bikes suitable for all surfaces, concluding with tastings and a pasta party. Another highlight is the large outdoor area where visitors can experience new sports activities with special structures, including a cross-country skiing track, two downhill slopes for young skiers, an inflatable donut slide for children, a climbing wall, and many other attractions for all.
Cycling tourism, historic trains, and trekking
Slow tourism imposes slow rhythms for visiting a place: nothing better, then, to do it by bike, on foot, or in the carriage of a train of yesteryear. This is why in Bergamo we will talk about cycle tourism, a growing segment that is currently worth €5 billion. The FIAB (Italian Federation for the Environment and Bicycle) will promote the 18,000 km of Italian cycling itineraries, encouraging daily bicycle use and cycling tourism to protect the environment and discover the beauties of smaller, lesser-known territorial realities.
In Pavilion A, the State Railways Foundation will present Historic Trains, allowing visitors to explore once-suspended and now restored railway lines for tourism through the “Binari senza Tempo” (Tracks without time) project. The European Rural Tour network will present rural tourism proposals to be experienced in over 100,000 participating rural structures.
Agri and Slow Travel Expo will also feature Cammini d’Italia, the largest Italian trekking community, and the Associazione Trekking d’Italia, introducing the public to slow tourism by presenting various routes to discover lesser-known destinations in Italy. The city of Bergamo will be a key player at Agri and Slow Travel Expo, not only with its excellent products and slow destinations but also with its airport, the first bike-friendly airport in Italy.
The expo will be an opportunity to discuss accessible tourism, making travel an experience accessible to all (noteworthy is the presence of ENAT, the European Network for Accessible Tourism); and folklore, as a manifestation of the rich intangible heritage of territories to be preserved.
The complete program of events can be found at this link: https://www.agritravelexpo.it/en/events/
