Maratea tourism laboratory. BTM InterAzioni, a debut that looks to the future

Maratea at the center of the discussion on changing tourism with the “Special Edition” of BTM InterAzioni, an event wanted and supported by APT Basilicata to strengthen the positioning of the destination in national and international markets and create new opportunities for local operators.

From May 6 to 8, the “pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea” hosted the traveling format of BTM Italy dedicated to networking, territorial promotion, and innovation. Three days of meetings, training, and immersive experiences, with a fam trip that involved 25 buyers and journalists, designed to introduce the area and its excellences to industry operators. 

In the program, a boat excursion along the coast, followed by a visit to the historic center of Maratea, and a tasting of typical dairy products, with an attached demonstration.

The second day was dedicated to discovering the territory with a panoramic tour of Monte San Biagio and the Cristo Redentore, breathing in the evocative and engaging atmosphere of the celebrations reserved for the patron saint of the town. Then, a site inspection at the Santavenere Resort, followed by a walk around Lake Sirino in Nemoli and a visit to the Rivello convent.

The event was also organized with the sponsorship and collaboration of the Municipality of Maratea and the Gal Pesca “La Cittadella del Sapere”.

Maratea showcased its identity made of sea, nature, history, and culture. The activities intertwined with concrete opportunities for meeting between supply and demand, particularly with the B2B session between local buyers and sellers, in the halls of the Grand Hotel Pianeta Maratea, useful for fostering new commercial collaborations between operators and the destination.

“This was the zero edition in Maratea. We strongly wanted it to stimulate the operators. There was good participation, renewed enthusiasm, and we hope this initiative can bring concrete results. We will certainly confirm it again next year” - said Margherita Sarli, general director of APT Basilicata."

Tourism is constantly changing, just as territories do – he adds –. Operators need to engage in dialogue, and institutions must communicate with them. The traveling format of BTM Italy allows for creating connections, stimulating ideas, and sharing visions”.

The informative meeting on Friday afternoon offered insights into the themes of innovation and the transformation of tourism. After the greetings from the mayor of Maratea, Cesare Albanese, digital marketing expert Giulia Eremita conducted a workshop dedicated to the evolution of traveler behaviors and the potential of artificial intelligence in creating increasingly targeted tourism offers.

Following that, strategic consultant Beppe Giaccardi, during a particularly well-attended keynote, analyzed the new challenges for Maratea and for all of Basilicata, starting from the change in destinations in light of the evolution of demand, technology, and governance models.

The discussion then expanded in the panel dedicated to innovation, digitalization, and synergies between territories, moderated by Mary Rossi, BTM Event Manager, with contributions from Margherita Sarli, general director of APT Basilicata, Daniele Donnici, president of Destinazione Sila, Luigi Lirangi, extraordinary commissioner of the Pollino National Park, Massimo Diana, commercial director of OTA Viaggi  and Marcello Pittella, President of the Regional Council of Basilicata who emphasized the positive moment for the region in terms of attendance: “A number – he said – that returns a picture of optimism and confirms a growth in tourism in Basilicata. The basis of these results is a constant activity carried out by APT that connects operators, territory, and institutional subjects, fostering an integrated system between those who promote and market the tourism offer and those who benefit from it”.

“With BTM InterAzioni – the conclusions of Nevio D’Arpa, CEO & Founder of BTM Italia – we have stimulated a community that has responded with enthusiasm and great participation. We found a context ready to network, to welcome new visions, and to engage in discussions about the changes in contemporary tourism. When institutions, businesses, and stakeholders work together, the conditions are created to make a destination more competitive and recognizable in the markets”.