From May 8th to 12th, 2025, the province of Trapani in West Sicily welcomed eighteen international tour operators from eleven countries — including the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Poland, Spain, and Turkey — for a fam trip that turned out to be an unforgettable experience, centred on outdoor, green, and wellness tourism.
The initiative, organised by the Tourist District of Western Sicily in cooperation with ItaliAbsolutely By Travel Open Day, aimed to promote the territory through a rich programme of site visits, B2B meetings, and hands-on activities that showcased the area’s historical, cultural, and natural excellence. Participants were divided into three groups, each following a dedicated itinerary to explore the full breadth of the province.
A Warm Welcome Amid Breathtaking Landscapes and Centuries-Old Traditions
Upon arrival, the buyers were immediately immersed in the atmosphere of the region with panoramic tours, traditional dinners, and relaxing moments in Castellammare del Golfo, Erice, and Mazara del Vallo, respectively.
The second day was dedicated to the workshop, held at the charming Baglio Oneto Resort in Marsala. Here, buyers had the opportunity to meet local operators — including hotels, B&Bs, restaurateurs, and tourism service providers — in a full day of networking, exchange, and business opportunities. In the afternoon, they visited the historic Ettore e Infersa salt pans where the day continued with a scenic aperitif with an amazing sunset, followed by a boat transfer to the island of Mothia, where the day ended in true Sicilian style with a sunset dinner featuring local, zero-kilometre products, in the heart of the Stagnone Lagoon.
Three Itineraries, One Grand Discovery
Over the following days, the three groups explored different facets of the territory through distinct itineraries:
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Group A discovered the Zingaro Nature Reserve, the historic tuna fishery at Scopello, and the archaeological park of Segesta. The journey ended with a boat excursion in San Vito Lo Capo and a walk through the Scorace Forest.
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Group B immersed themselves in the medieval charm of Erice, experienced local craftsmanship, visited the salt pans and fishing port of Trapani, and wrapped up with a cooking class in Valderice, preparing traditional sweets like cassatelle and cassata siciliana.
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Group C explored the contemporary art scene in Gibellina, with stops at the Cretto di Burri and the Museum of Mediterranean Weaves. Their route continued through Salemi, Mazara del Vallo, and Marsala with couscous tastings, wine and olive oil pairings, and a Sicilian cooking workshop to end the day.
A journey through history, nature, and flavour
The fam trip concluded on May 12th with transfers to Palermo Airport and heartfelt farewells. Over the course of five days, the international buyers experienced the soul of Western Sicily — a land where history, nature, and gastronomy come together in a powerful narrative.
The success of the initiative reaffirmed Western Sicily’s growing appeal as a prime destination for sustainable, experiential tourism rich in authenticity and charm. A journey that left a lasting impression in the hearts of all participants and opened new doors for international tourism in the Trapani area.
