Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Roots Tourism International Exchange is a unique B2B workshop dedicated to roots tourism, taking place in Matera, Italy.
This event aims to connect Italian tourism professionals with international buyers, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
Attendees will engage in networking, training, and business matching opportunities, all centered around the theme of roots tourism, which emphasizes the cultural and emotional connections of travelers to their ancestral heritage.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Roots Tourism International Exchange takes place on November 10-11, 2026 in Matera, Italy.
- 2Scale and Focus: This B2B workshop focuses on roots tourism, connecting Italian sellers with international buyers.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by APT Basilicata and ENIT, with a focus on promoting roots tourism.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include tourism professionals, institutions, and representatives from Italian communities abroad.
- 5Entry: Registration is required for participation in the workshops and forums.
Why visit
Participate in exclusive networking opportunities with international buyers and sellers in the roots tourism sector. Gain insights from industry experts and enhance your understanding of roots tourism trends. Engage in meaningful discussions about the future of tourism and its impact on communities.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their offerings to a targeted audience of international buyers. This is an opportunity to establish valuable connections and partnerships in the roots tourism market. Gain visibility and promote your services to a niche audience interested in heritage and cultural tourism.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Tourism professionals seeking to expand their networks
Buyers from countries with significant Italian communities
Cultural organizations interested in roots tourism
Travel agencies focusing on heritage travel
Local government representatives promoting tourism initiatives
Media professionals covering tourism and cultural heritage
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Italian tourism boards and regional representatives
Travel agencies specializing in heritage tours
Cultural institutions and museums
Hospitality providers catering to roots tourists
Tour operators focusing on experiential travel
Local artisans and businesses promoting cultural products
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Heritage tourism packages and experiences
Cultural exchange programs for travelers
Tourism services tailored for Italian descendants
Workshops and training sessions on roots tourism
Networking platforms for tourism professionals
Promotional materials for local tourism initiatives
Location & Facilities
Venue
Matera
Matera, Italy
Facilities
Parking
Matera in Matera typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Matera in Matera typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Matera for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
General admission
€330.00
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Matera, Italy
Why it matters
Attending Roots Tourism International Exchange on 2026-11-10 to 2026-11-11 in Matera lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport
The primary gateway for Matera. Continue by airport coach, FAL train from Bari or a private transfer. Allow extra time on Sundays and public holidays when services are reduced; confirm current timetables before travel
TBA
to venue
About 60-75 minutes by road
by car
Brindisi Salento Airport
Alternative Puglian gateway with fewer connections to Matera; realistically a car, transfer or a train via Bari is required
TBA
to venue
About 2 hours by road
by car
Naples Capodichino International Airport
Useful for long-haul arrivals with strong Naples connections, but the road transfer is long; an overnight in Naples or a train to Bari then coach to Matera is often easier
TBA
to venue
About 2.5-3 hours by road
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hotel Mosaico Matera
midscale
MateraGoogle Hotels listing shows free cancellation and free Wi-Fi; 4.4 rating. Prices captured in INR for 10-11 November 2026; convert before booking.
Hotel Nazionale
midscale
MateraGoogle Hotels listing shows pet-friendly and parking amenities; 4.3 rating.
Vista sui sassi Guest House Bed & Breakfast Sassi di Matera
guesthouse
Sassi di Matera4.7 rating guest house in the Sassi district; captured from Google Hotels for 10-11 November 2026.
Profumi di Primavera Luxury Rooms & Suite
upscale
MateraLuxury rooms and suites with 4.7 rating; captured from Google Hotels for 10-11 November 2026.
Eurostars Matera La Suite
upscale
Matera5-star hotel with 4.7 rating; highest captured nightly rate among the listed Matera properties for the 10-11 November 2026 window.
Hoplites BeB
budget
Matera3-star bed and breakfast with free parking; 4.9 rating on Google Hotels.
B&B Slow Living
budget
Matera3-star bed and breakfast, pet-friendly with free Wi-Fi; 4.6 rating on Google Hotels.
Euvodia Luxury Rooms
upscale
MateraLuxury rooms with free cancellation and parking; 4.7 rating on Google Hotels.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Airport coach
Estimated costApprox. EUR 10-15 one way per person
Best forBari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI) to Matera
The most direct option for most arrivals. Book ahead in peak periods and confirm the current stop in Matera, since drop-off points sit outside the pedestrian centre. Fares are approximate; confirm live prices with the operator.
Rail (FAL)
Estimated costApprox. EUR 5-6 one way
Best forBari Centrale to Matera Centrale (Ferrovie Appulo Lucane)
FAL is a separate narrow-gauge operator from Trenitalia, so tickets are bought from FAL channels. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and arrives at Matera Centrale, a short walk or bus ride from the historic centre. Approximate fare; confirm before travel.
Private transfer or taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR 90-130 per vehicle
Best forBari airport to Matera accommodation
Worth it for late arrivals, groups or heavy luggage. Ask the driver to confirm the exact drop-off, because many Sassi properties are reachable only on foot for the last stretch. Approximate fares; agree the price before departure.
Urban bus
Estimated costApprox. EUR 1-2 per single ticket
Best forMatera city network, including links between the centre, the Sassi edge and peripheral car parks
Useful for the climb between the modern city and the Sassi entrances. Tickets are bought at tobacconists, newsstands or on board where permitted. Approximate fares; confirm current tariffs locally.
On foot
Estimated costNo ticket cost
Best forHistoric centre and the Sassi
The Sassi are a network of stairways, slopes and uneven tufa paving. Comfortable shoes with grip matter more than any timetable, and walking times roughly double after rain or with luggage.
Car
Estimated costFuel and tolls vary; parking in Matera is charged separately
Best forBari to Matera via the Puglia-Basilicata road network
About 65 km and roughly one hour outside peak. Do not drive into the ZTL or attempt the Sassi lanes; use signed peripheral car parks and register your plate with the hotel where authorised.
taxi
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forBrindisi Salento Airport (BDS) to Matera
About 2 hours by road; Alternative Puglian gateway with fewer connections to Matera; realistically a car, transfer or a train via Bari is required.
taxi
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forNaples Capodichino International Airport (NAP) to Matera
About 2.5-3 hours by road; Useful for long-haul arrivals with strong Naples connections, but the road transfer is long; an overnight in Naples or a train to Bari then coach to Matera is often easier.
Weather
November in Matera, Basilicata: daytime highs typically around 14-18 C and nights around 6-9 C, with frequent rain showers - November is one of the wetter months, with roughly 60-80 mm spread over 8-11 rain days. Mornings can be misty over the Gravina gorge, and stone alleys stay damp and slippery after rain. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip; check the forecast in the final week before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Italy.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
The Sassi are stairways, not streets
Matera's historic districts climb the sides of the Gravina gorge in stepped lanes cut into tufa. Vehicles cannot reach most addresses, so plan luggage hand-carry, wear shoes with grip and allow more walking time than the map suggests, especially after rain.
ZTL and driving
The centro storico is a limited-traffic zone with camera enforcement. If you hire a car, park on the periphery and ask your hotel whether it can register your plate for a permitted drop-off; unregistered entries typically produce fines that arrive after you have left Italy.
Meal times and the midday pause
Lucanian lunches run from about 13:00 and dinners start late, often from 20:00. Some small shops and offices still close for a midday break, so schedule archive visits, calls to municipal offices and errands around morning and late-afternoon windows.
Local food and wine vocabulary
Pane di Matera IGP sourdough, peperone crusco from Senise, orecchiette with cime di rapa, lamb dishes and Aglianico del Vulture wine are the reference points on local menus. Vegetarian options exist, but offal and cured pork feature widely in traditional cooking.
Public holidays and Sundays
1 November (All Saints) is a national holiday, and Sundays reduce coach and train frequencies between Bari and Matera. Museum and church opening hours also shorten, so build a buffer day if your trip overlaps a holiday weekend.
Dress and evening temperatures
November evenings in the Sassi drop quickly once the sun leaves the gorge. A warm layer and a waterproof outer shell are more useful than formal wear; event venues in restored cave buildings can be cool and damp inside even when daytime temperatures are mild.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: BRI
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Matera; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI): About 60-75 minutes by road; Brindisi Salento Airport (BDS): About 2 hours by road; Naples Capodichino International Airport (NAP): About 2.5-3 hours by road. Allow road or rail time to Matera; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Matera: Matera: Hotel Mosaico Matera; Matera: Hotel Nazionale; Sassi di Matera: Vista sui sassi Guest House Bed & Breakfast Sassi di Matera.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Matera; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Matera has no metro; getting around relies on the urban bus network, the FAL narrow-gauge railway to Bari and walking. For Roots In, most movements inside the city are on foot, because the historic centre and the Sassi are pedestrian stairways served only at their edges by buses. Typical approach: airport coach or FAL train from Bari to Matera, then an urban bus or short taxi to the nearest vehicle-accessible point of your hotel, and walking from there. Single urban bus tickets cost approximately EUR 1-2 and are sold at tobacconists and newsstands; the Bari-Matera FAL trip is approximately EUR 5-6 and the airport coach approximately EUR 10-15 one way. Schedules thin out on Sundays and public holidays, so check operator timetables for the day you travel and confirm fares locally.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Matera; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Packing: November 2026
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Roots Tourism International Exchange usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Confirm programme and ticket tier — Read roots-in.com/schedule for session times, venue addresses and what the EUR 330 general admission ticket covers; email the organiser about any ambiguity before paying.
T-2
Book Matera accommodation — Room stock in the Sassi and the historic centre is small and cave rooms sell out for November weekends. Choose between Sassi guesthouses (atmosphere, stairs) and centre hotels (easier access, luggage handling).
T-3
Book flights into Bari (BRI) — Bari Karol Wojtyla is the closest airport, roughly 60-75 minutes by road. Compare connections via Rome or Naples if direct flights are unavailable.
T-4
Reserve the airport-to-Matera leg — Book the airport coach in advance where possible and check FAL train times from Bari Centrale; Sunday and late-evening services are sparse.
T-5
Check entry documents — Confirm passport validity for Schengen entry and, if you need a Schengen visa, that it is issued and valid for Italy.
T-6
Assemble family research material — Comune of origin, surnames and variants, approximate emigration year, copies of records already held. This is what makes conversations with archives and local researchers productive.
T-7
Arrange travel insurance — Cover medical costs, cancellation and, if you plan to drive, rental car excess.
T-8
Plan the non-session time — Reserve slots for the Sassi walk, a rupestrian church visit and any ancestral-town side trip; side trips by public transport need timetable checks.
T-9
Pack for a stone city in November — Layers, waterproof jacket, shoes with grip for cobbles and stairs, a small day bag. Add a universal adapter for Italian Type L/F sockets at 230V.
T-10
Check in and prepare offline tools — Download offline maps of Matera, save the venue addresses and note the ZTL boundary if you are hiring a car.
T-11
Confirm badge pickup and arrival logistics — Ask the organiser where and when credentials are issued, and arrange a transfer if you land after dark when coach frequencies drop.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Matera
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Roots Tourism International Exchange registration concourse
Matera
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Matera
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
EUR 330 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | EUR 330 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Roots Tourism International Exchange fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is Roots In 2026 held?
Roots In is scheduled in Matera, Basilicata, southern Italy, in November 2026. The day-by-day programme, venue addresses and any access notes are published on the official schedule page at roots-in.com/schedule; check it before booking flights or hotels, since session locations in Matera can be spread between the historic centre and the Sassi.
How do I reach Matera for Roots In?
Most travellers fly into Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI), about 65 km from Matera and roughly 60-75 minutes by road, then continue by airport coach, FAL train from Bari or a private transfer. Brindisi (BDS) and Naples (NAP) are alternatives with longer road transfers. Matera has no commercial airport of its own, so the Bari leg needs planning, especially on Sundays when coach and train frequencies thin out.
How much is a Roots In ticket and what does it include?
Public listing data shows a general admission ticket at EUR 330 per person. Ticket tiers, what each covers (sessions, meals, transfers, evening events) and the registration deadline are organiser decisions, so confirm the current price and inclusions on the roots-in.com registration page before paying.
Do I need a visa to attend in Italy?
Roots In takes place in Italy, inside the Schengen area. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens travel on a national ID card or passport. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and many other passport holders can enter Schengen visa-free for short stays within the 90-days-in-any-180-day limit. Passport holders who require a Schengen visa should apply through the Italian consulate or visa centre in their country of residence well ahead of travel.
Is Roots In only for people with Italian ancestry?
The programme is built around roots and heritage travel, so it draws people researching family origins, Italian descendants living abroad, heritage tour operators, municipalities and archives, cultural associations and travel trade buyers working in the ancestry segment. If you work in heritage tourism or diaspora engagement, the sessions on records, itinerary building and destination marketing are the relevant ones.
Can I drive to the venue and park in the Sassi?
No. The Sassi lanes are stairways and alleys, and the historic centre is covered by a ZTL with camera enforcement. Leave the car in a peripheral car park or at the hotel and walk, use the urban bus network or take a short taxi ride. If you hire a car, register the plate with your hotel so it can be authorised where permitted.
What should I bring to make family research useful at the event?
Bring the comune of origin, approximate birth and marriage years, all known surname spellings (including pre-emigration variants) and copies of any records you already hold. Parish and municipal records in Basilicata are often held locally rather than centrally, so precise place names matter more than broad regional ones.
What is the November weather like in Matera?
Expect daytime highs of roughly 14-18 C and nights of 6-9 C, with a realistic chance of rain - November is one of the wetter months in Basilicata. Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip for cobbles and wet stairways; mornings can be misty over the Gravina gorge.
How accessible is the event for visitors with limited mobility?
Matera's historic core and the Sassi involve steep stairways, uneven tufa paving and few step-free routes. Before booking, ask the organiser which venues have step-free access and lifts, and check with your hotel about luggage handling and the nearest vehicle drop-off point, since many cave properties cannot be reached by car.
How many days should I plan around the show?
Plan at least two full event days plus a buffer day for Matera itself: the Sassi, the rupestrian churches and the Belvedere viewpoints take half a day or more. If you are also visiting an ancestral town in Basilicata, add one to two days, since rural connections by public transport are limited and often require a car or a driver.
Glossary
- Turismo delle radici (roots tourism)
- Travel by descendants of emigrants to the towns and regions their families left. Italy treats it as a distinct travel segment, with national programmes aimed at Italian descendants abroad; Matera and Basilicata are among the areas most often visited by travellers tracing Lucanian ancestry.
- Comune di origine
- The Italian municipality where an ancestor was registered. It holds the civil registration records (stato civile) that roots travellers usually request first: birth, marriage and death acts.
- Atto di nascita
- Birth record issued by the comune or, for older records, by the parish. Certified extracts are the document most often requested for citizenship-by-descent files and for family reconstruction.
- Jure sanguinis
- Citizenship claimed by descent through an unbroken line of Italian ancestors. Consular and municipal requirements differ by case; confirm your file with the competent Italian consulate rather than relying on general summaries.
- Sassi di Matera
- The cave-dwelling districts cut into the tufa rock on either side of the Gravina gorge, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1993. They are living districts with homes, cave hotels, churches and venues, and they are largely pedestrian.
- Albergo diffuso
- A scattered hotel model used across Italy's historic centres, including the Sassi: rooms are distributed across several restored buildings and managed from a single reception. Expect stairs and irregular layouts rather than a standard lobby-to-lift flow.
- Basilicata / Lucania
- The southern Italian region between Campania, Puglia and Calabria; Matera is its best-known city. Lucania is the older name still used in wine names and cultural branding.
- Pane di Matera IGP
- Sourdough bread baked in a distinctive horn shape and protected under the Protected Geographical Indication scheme; a standard item on local tables and a common gift for visiting relatives.
- Peperone crusco IGP
- The dried Senise pepper, briefly fried so it puffs and turns glassy, then used as a garnish and snack across Lucanian cooking.
- Aglianico del Vulture
- Red wine made from Aglianico grapes on the volcanic soils around Monte Vulture in northern Basilicata, bottled under a DOCG denomination.
- ZTL (zona a traffico limitato)
- A limited-traffic zone in the historic centre. Cameras enforce entry bans for non-permitted vehicles, so rental cars should be left in peripheral car parks and the last stretch covered on foot or by local bus.
- Gravina
- The limestone gorge that separates the two Sassi and shapes Matera's geography; several viewpoints and walking routes run along its edges, and paths can be slippery after rain.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Roots Tourism International Exchange
- Roots Tourism International Exchange 2026
- Roots Tourism International Exchange Matera
- Roots Tourism International Exchange Matera 2026
- Matera Italy
- Tourism Matera 2026
- Tourism B2B Workshop Matera
- Heritage tourism packages and experiences
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.