Travel Industry Boom in 2026: Enhanced Value across Entire Travel Value Chain - A Tribute to Travel Pioneers
Travel Makers Fest to Headline BIT 2026: A Transformative Approach to Tourism
The International Tourism Exhibition (BIT), set to take place from February 10 to 12, 2026 at Fiera Milano, will see a significant change this year. The Travel Makers Fest will be the new core event, transforming BIT into a vibrant, inclusive cultural and narrative hub [1][2][3].
The Travel Makers Fest is designed as a space where communities involved in tourism can explore key themes and share values and stories about the evolving nature of travel. Its objectives include building bridges and imagining new ecosystems, reimagining travel experiences as transformative, exploring travel’s deeper social and economic value, facilitating business and networking opportunities, and offering a rich cultural program [1][2][3].
The fest will feature six thematic formats: Discovery, Backstage, (Im)Possible, This Must Be the Place, BIT&Friends, and Future Travel Minds. These formats will cover journeys of self and world exploration, revealing hidden sides of tourism, inspirational travelers’ stories, spotlighting destinations and their stories, expert deep-dives on cross-cutting topics, and events focused on young professionals, students, changemakers, and start-ups who are envisioning the tourism of tomorrow [2].
BIT 2026 will also be guided by an advisory board of industry experts to support its vision. The event aims to bring together the industry’s key players to promote a travel supply chain where value is equitably distributed among all actors [4].
In addition to the Travel Makers Fest, BIT 2026 will be organized into six thematic districts: Italy, World, Travel Expert, Hospitality, Transportation, and Innovation. The Straight to the Point program, designed for industry professionals, will offer themed speedy meetings to create commercial connections [2][3].
The Next Level workshop programme will offer four dedicated tracks: Travel Agents Academy, Hospitality Academy, Storytelling Farm, and Discovery Italy Academy. These workshops aim to create long-term value across the entire travel supply chain [5].
Theodore Koumelis, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of a media network, is responsible for business development and planning for the media network's long-term opportunities. BIT 2026 is reimagined around the concept of Travel Makers, individuals who create, enable, promote, and guide travel experiences [6].
BIT 2026 aims to be a dynamic platform for exchange, inspiration, training, and business. Every stand in the exhibition area will be content, every event an opportunity, every encounter a potential spark. The goal is to create long-term value across the entire travel supply chain [7].
So, get ready to immerse yourself in three days of travel exploration, networking, and inspiration at the Travel Makers Fest at BIT 2026. This event is more than just an exhibition; it’s a cultural narrative space and a business-driven platform aimed at redefining and enriching travel by integrating community engagement, innovation, and meaningful experiences while supporting networking and commercial growth in tourism [1][2][3].
[1] Travel Makers Fest [2] BIT 2026 Official Website [3] BIT 2026 Press Release [4] BIT 2026 Vision Statement [5] BIT 2026 Workshop Programme [6] Theodore Koumelis LinkedIn Profile [7] BIT 2026 Goals and Objectives
Immersing oneself in the Travel Makers Fest at BIT 2026 will offer a unique opportunity to explore different lifestyles and travel destinations, as the fest is designed as a space for communities to share stories about the evolving nature of travel. With the Travel Makers Fest as the core event, BIT 2026 aims to transform into a vibrant hub that facilitates business, networking, and cultural exchanges, while promoting a travel supply chain where value is equitably distributed among all actors.
