Experiences, storytelling and business. The journey of BTM InterAzioni Presicce-Acquarica

A journey in Salento between stone and future, discovering small realities with an immense soul.

This is, in summary, what was proposed by BTM InterAzioni, an itinerant format of BTM Italia that from April 21 to 23 stopped in Presicce-Acquarica creating new connections between supply and demand aimed at enhancing the territory.

Tourism, now more than ever, becomes the ink of a shared narrative, a strategic resource, an opportunity to build relationships, enhance communities, and promote sustainable development.

During the three days of the event, the village and the surrounding area welcomed 20 national and international buyers, engaged in a fam trip to discover local beauties: historic center, underground oil mills, farms, and rural landscapes, participating in boat tours to admire the caves of Santa Maria di Leuca, taking a walk in Marina di Pescoluse, visiting the Coral Museum and the Reed Museum. Unmissable, and appreciated, were the tastings of typical products, such as oil and wine.

An immersive and engaging experience that allowed them to connect with the local reality.

With its historical heritage made of ancient noble palaces, baroque churches, and underground oil mills, Presicce-Acquarica today represents an emerging destination for slow and identity tourism. A place where the relationship between man and nature becomes an authentic experience for the contemporary traveler. An area that preserves the most authentic soul of Puglia and thus becomes a stage for an initiative aimed at creating concrete connections and new development opportunities.

The B2B organized on the morning of the 23rd in the halls of the Ducal Palace was crowded. A strategic step for meetings between local sellers and qualified buyers (tour operators, travel agencies, and event organizers) interested in the Puglia destination and, in particular, in the Cape of Leuca. A concrete opportunity to activate new collaborations, strengthen the professional network, and open up to national and international markets. Finally, the “creative” moment where buyers engaged in creating traditional Puglian lights with the Parisi brothers was interesting.

All in the name of uniqueness.

This was also discussed during the afternoon conference, again in the halls of the Ducal Palace. Focus on hospitality, storytelling, innovation, villages, and training.

“Our young people – said the Vice President of the Puglia Region, Cristian Casili – need training courses that can also qualify the tourism offer, from English language to everything that can give further professional momentum. I believe – he added – that the Region should focus on these levels of training, in addition to improving other aspects such as transport and accessibility to tourism. It is important that Puglia is not only a national hub but also a European one for accessibility. A region without barriers to facilitate access for everyone”.

Veronica Rizzo, Local Marketing Expert and product expert of Google Business Profile, with the panel “The Google Ecosystem for Tourism” provided the operators present with concrete tools to make the most of Google profiles and improve their online visibility, today an essential element for competitiveness in the tourism sector.

Then it was the turn of Marco Volpe, hotel consultant and trainer, who illustrated strategies and useful tools to sell better, optimize daily work, and retain guests, with an operational focus on the real needs of accommodation facilities.

At the center of the discussion was also a reflection on how culture, food and wine, and wedding tourism can become powerful narrative levers, also thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, with contributions from Alberto Cazzato, municipal councilor of Presicce-Acquarica with a delegation for institutional communication; Mirko Marchitelli, cultural designer of Tuo Museo; Antonio Marzano, journalist and expert in wedding tourism; Lucrezia Argentiero, journalist and travel blogger. The meeting was moderated by Mary Rosssi, BTM Event Manager.

In conclusion, a focus on the policies of enhancement and development of villages to strengthen the bond between communities, territories, and visitors with the Mayor of Presicce-Acquarica, Paolo Rizzo, Natacha Pizzolante, Councilor for Tourism Presicce-Acquarica, Andrea Pulli, Vice President of the Province of Lecce, Emanuela D’Aversa, Vice President of Federterziario, and Stefano Minerva, regional councilor who from the BTM stage announced the start of work for the railway connection between Salento Airport and Brindisi station: “A novelty that – he said – will improve connections and regional mobility with evident positive repercussions for the entire territory.”

“These have been intense days, rich especially from a human point of view – commented Councilor Pizzolante – We have built new relationships, also thanks to the valuable support of the entire community that accompanied us with enthusiasm. It should also be emphasized the foresight of our administration, which made all this possible, with the aim of making known and enhancing even the lesser-known aspects of an authentic and fascinating village like ours”.

“BTM InterAzioni Presicce-Acquarica has confirmed itself as a moment of concrete and current confrontation, capable of uniting operational tools, strategic vision, and enhancement of territories – the words of Nevio D’Arpa, CEO&Founder BTM Italia – Particularly significant was also the opportunity for buyers from the main reference markets to get to know the territory directly, experiencing firsthand the identity, hospitality, and potential of the hosting community with an immersive fam trip. A fundamental experience to transform the narrative into a concrete tourism proposal and generate new development opportunities”.

The InterAzioni concluded with a convivial moment dedicated to local gastronomic excellences, curated by BTM Gusto.

Organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Presicce-Acquarica and with the patronage of Pugliapromozione, the event intercepts the growing demand for authentic and sustainable tourism, enhancing a territory that aims to stand out for identity, quality, and innovation.

Among the partners: FederTerziario, Banca Popolare Pugliese, Fonditalia, ArtWork, and ITS Turismo Puglia.