Palermo’s BTE Extra-Hotel Tourism Exchange showcased Sicily’s extra-hotel power and the need for longer stays.
A successful edition for a growing sector
The ninth edition of BTE, the Extra-Hotel Tourism Exchange of Confesercenti Sicilia, organized on 15 and 16 November by the Regional Department of Tourism and supported by regional and municipal institutions, closed with over 4,000 participants, confirming the growing weight of the extra-hotel sector.
Basile: “a welcome that can turn a tourist into a true local”
Salvo Basile, regional coordinator of Assoturismo Confesercenti Sicilia, said the BTE had been a success and “an indispensable benchmark for sustainable proximity and community-based tourism. Hospitality models that reach beyond traditional hotels can offer a form of welcome that can turn a tourist into a true “local,” who becomes part of the daily life, rhythms, and traditions of our territories.” 
Aligning products more closely with market trends
Basile further noted that the event had allowed professionals, experts, and institutions to come together in “a constructive debate that helps build development models rooted in identity, authenticity, and sustainability - values that make our destinations unique and recognizable”. Looking to the future he confirmed that the next edition will introduce significant innovations with an even stronger commitment to becoming a real laboratory of ideas and concrete actions. “Our goal is to align what we have to offer more closely with market trends.”
Other Mediterranean islands hold visitors much longer
With more than 47,000 extra-hotel accommodations, Sicily is one of the Mediterranean’s most dynamic destinations, yet the average stay remains only three days which is too short to create meaningful economic impact. During the Exchange figures emerged showing that Corsica’s average stay is eight days, with Mallorca securing six days and Crete five. Corsica’s success is due to how it promotes curated slow-paced discovery itineraries of over a week, while Sicily is still centering its proposals on one to three-day day micro-stays.
“Our experience with the ItaliAbsolutely fam trip was excellent”
“Sicily is developing incredibly fast. I’ve visited twice and will return to explore the eastern and southern regions. Our experience with the ItaliAbsolutely fam trip - from transfers to meals and guiding - was excellent, and we will continue promoting Sicily to our clients,” said Gokhan Korkmaz of Parasol Tours Turkey ,while Carol Sicbaldi of Moveable Feasts Florence said: At BTE I met many hosts, and I hope to offer my clients a wider range of services, from culinary experiences to artisanal workshops, so they can truly connect with Sicily.”
A coast that works and an interior still waiting
Tourism flows to Sicily remain uneven, with the coast performing well, while inland villages, which are rich in landscape and culture, often remain underutilized. Only 16% of operators currently promote itineraries including the interior. Daniela Meloni of Liberty Italia underscored this need, saying: “Palermo deserves far more visitors, as does all of Sicily and its islands. With better connections and infrastructure, Sicily could easily surpass Sardinia,” Jenny Rosenius of Tema Toscana Stockholm said that Palermo is still an authentic destination, and is very interesting for the Scandinavian market. “Our target is small groups, and for accommodation I found there are more small, boutique hotels.”
Appreciation for Sicily’s young entrepreneurs
Rosa Nacca of Princess Travel appreciated the welcome she received at BTE. “What impressed me most was the determination of young Sicilian entrepreneurs who believe in their land. The variety of services, from excursions to boat trips and food and wine tastings, shows strong potential to create high-quality packages.” Gabriella Faccone of the Sirene Travel Group was of a like mind: “BTE revealed a Sicily I didn’t know, diverse, entrepreneurial, and rich in extra-hotel offerings. I was impressed by the tenacity of the local operators, especially the young people who choose to stay rooted in their land, investing in its economic development and creating employment opportunities.”
Encouraging visitors to slow down and stay longer
The general consensus was that Sicily has achieved scale, and the message that emerged from the participants in the fam trip and the BTE Palermo was clear - the need to transform this strength into longer, better-distributed experiences that encourage visitors to slow down, explore more deeply, and stay longer. This would allow Sicily to unlock its full potential and compete with the Mediterranean’s best-performing destinations.
The workshop
