You Will Love Gerace: a week to boost the village

When: 19–24 May 2026

Gerace presents a week of initiatives aimed at positioning the village as an experiential, sustainable and community-driven tourist destination. The event closes the community marketing phase of the "Gerace Porta del Sole" project and showcases the collaboration between operators, residents, associations, businesses and young people.

Key programme highlights

• 19 May – "Gerace in Rete": meeting with beneficiary businesses at the Civic Museum Conference Hall.
• 20 May – "Building the Future – Businesses and opportunities in Gerace": main day at Palazzo Sant'Anna with institutional speeches and sector experts in tourism, sustainability and digital communication.
• 21 May – "Youth and Creativity": hands-on workshop with ITS ELAIA Calabria on storytelling, technology and traditions.
• 22 May – Site visits to the project's work sites and guided tour with the project manager to explore the village's transformation.
• 23–24 May – Days dedicated to the Basilian Path: trekking, storytelling sessions and activities that link spirituality, landscape and slow travel.

Why attend

• Learn about digital tools and immersive technologies for cultural tourism.
• Join training workshops and networking moments among local operators.
• Discover opportunities for businesses and young people to enhance culinary, craft and cultural assets.

Speakers and participants

Contributions come from institutional figures and sector professionals, including Rudi Lizzi (Mayor of Gerace), Marisa Larosa (Culture and Tourism Councillor), Domenico Romeo (Project Manager) and experts in communication, tourism and territorial development.

Outcomes of the project

The initiative has delivered over 200 hours of training, involved more than 100 participants and introduced innovations such as blockchain skill certification, AR/VR and immersive storytelling, thematic experiential itineraries and promotional video clips. The week aims to consolidate these achievements and start a new phase of shared development for Gerace.

Practical note: outdoor activities and guided visits may require booking or have limited places; contact local organisers for logistical details and exact schedules.