The Campania Region, the Municipality of Capaccio Paestum, and the Archaeological Parks of Paestum and Velia promote the 28th Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism (BMTA), which will take place from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at the NEXT – former Tobacco Factory, the Archaeological Park, and the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum.
The event aims to enhance the value of archaeological parks and museums, promote archaeological tourism destinations, encourage business opportunities, contribute to the extension of the tourism season, and generate economic growth and employment. BMTA is the only event of its kind in the world, bringing together government organizations, institutions, local authorities, tourism professionals, trade operators, travellers, archaeology enthusiasts, schools and universities, and the media.
This internationally unique event has established itself as a highly successful format, attracting 8,500 visitors, 130 exhibitors from 15 countries, 160 conferences and meetings featuring 900 moderators and speakers across six simultaneous conference halls, 30 hosted buyers from Italy and across Europe, 140 tourism suppliers, and 150 accredited journalists.
BMTA continues to represent an important forum for discussion and dissemination of issues related to cultural tourism and the management, accessibility, and enhancement of cultural heritage. The event comprises 16 thematic sections, including:
- ArcheoIncoming – dedicated to Italian tour operators specializing in archaeological tourism, featuring exhibition space, workshops, and destination presentations;
- ArcheoIncontri – press conferences and presentations of cultural and territorial development projects;
- ArcheoLavoro – career guidance and orientation for secondary-school and university graduates, organized in collaboration with universities;
- ArcheoStartUp – innovative projects for cultural tourism and the enhancement of cultural heritage;
- ArcheoVirtual – workshops and a multimedia exhibition focusing on digital applications and virtual archaeology projects, organized in collaboration with the ISPC – Institute of Heritage Science of the National Research Council (CNR);
- Conferences – where government organizations, trade associations, institutions, local authorities, and cultural and professional associations discuss the promotion of cultural tourism and the enhancement, management, and accessibility of heritage;
- Meet the Protagonists – public conversations with leading cultural communicators, archaeologists, museum directors, academics, and journalists;
- International Archaeological Discovery Award “Palmyra” – honouring the most significant archaeological discovery of the year;
- Experimental Archaeology Workshops – demonstrating the techniques used in antiquity to create everyday artefacts;
- “Antonella Fiammenghi” Award – presented for the best university thesis on archaeological tourism or on BMTA;
- “Paestum” Award – recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue;
- “Sebastiano Tusa” Award – honouring achievements in underwater archaeological discoveries, lifetime accomplishment, internationally significant exhibitions, the most innovative project, and excellence in archaeological journalism and public outreach;
- “Claudio Mocchegiani Carpano” Plaque – awarded for the best university thesis in underwater archaeology;
- Exhibition Hall – showcasing archaeological tourism destinations across 4,000 square metres of exhibition space;
- Complimentary guided tours for speakers, journalists, and visitors to the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia;
- International Workshop – bringing together the European hosted buyers selected by ENIT – Italian National Tourist Board, Italian specialist tour operators, and suppliers of cultural and archaeological tourism.
For further information: www.bmta.it
