Tomorrow, March 31, Agri and Slow Travel Expo, Fiera dei Territori, starts in Bergamo, Italy, promoting slow, active, and outdoor tourism, through the enhancement of territories and the discovery of lesser-known places in which to experience travel in harmony with nature. Not simply proposals of holidays and destinations, but a real philosophy of travel, inspired by the values of sustainability and accessibility, one of the focuses of this 8th edition of the event.
Experiential tourism and the proposals of the Italian regions
The promotion of experiential tourism takes place through the discovery of historical villages, walking and cycle paths, waterways, and quality festivals, which allow people to discover a new way of travelling, which is slower, authentic, and emotional. From Bologna and Modena to Lazio, passing through Liguria, to Sicily and Calabria, the territories present themselves at Agri and Slow Travel Expo proposing new activities and experiences to discover the beauty of Italy. Curious itineraries such as the enotrekking proposed by the Lazio Region, which also presents brand new routes in particular of Rome and its surroundings, the Tiber Valley, the Lazio coastline, Ciociaria and Valle Comino, the Simbruini mountains and their park. Sicily offers an authentic and immersive experience of the island: cultural and taste itineraries, 500 km of cycling routes, nature walks and treks, hiking among the vineyards and olive groves. For those who love bicycles, there are many routes for 2 wheels, such as the Ciclovia del Sole (Sun Cycle Route) presented by Bologna Welcome, a cycle route suitable for everyone that crosses the Bolognese plain, connecting it to the rest of Europe.
B2B and B2C – the two souls of Agri and Slow Travel Expo
The territories fair is open to the public and professionals. The exhibition is spread over 16,000 square metres (partly outdoors, partly indoors) and features 130 national and international exhibitors (70). There will be over 120 events, including show cooking, presentations, meetings and exhibitions, jazz, blues, and pop concerts. As far as trade operators are concerned, a total of 60 buyers will be on site: 25 national buyers from various regions (Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont, Tuscany, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Veneto); 36 international buyers (1 Austria, 2 Belgium, 2 Canada, 1 Czech Republic, 1 Denmark, 2 France, 2 Germany, 1 Israel, 1 Netherlands, 3 Norway, 1 Poland, 1 Slovakia, 1 Sweden, 1 Switzerland, 5 United Kingdom, 5 USA). Over 940 business-to-business meetings scheduled between buyers and sellers.
Focus on accessible tourism in cooperation with ENAT
ENAT, the European network for accessible tourism, will be present at the fair to focus on inclusive tourism, i.e. on making destinations accessible to all visitors. Access to tourism is a right for all guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but there is still a long way to go. The potential market for accessible tourism in Europe is estimated at 130 million people, with an annual spending power of more than €68 billion. A figure that includes tourists with disabilities, elderly people, pregnant women, families with small children, and people with chronic health problems or a temporary disability.
Experience the holiday live at the fair
At Agri and Slow Travel Expo you can experience some of the activities on offer, such as cross-country skiing, thanks to an outdoor track where you can simulate skiing in the mountains guided by expert instructors. This is just one of the sports that can be tried from March 31st to April 2nd at the Mountain Village, organised in collaboration with ENIT. In this area, which is open to the public, there will be many experiential proposals, such as the CAI climbing walls, routes to test those in the mountains who want to try mountain biking or Nordic walking with snowshoes.
