For the first time, formally, the Strait Area will begin to talk about tourism in a united way. The occasion is the second edition of the Tourism Meeting 2024 (Meet), promoted by the Municipality and Metropolitan City of Messina, the Municipality and Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, and the Strait Port Authority.
From 23 to 29 June, 19 Italian, European and international tourist buyers, many of whom are arriving thanks to the new air connections of Ryanair, partner of the initiative, will be divided between Reggio Calabria and Messina to evaluate and plan, through site visits, workshops and b2b, possible packages for the two metropolitan areas of the Strait.
A specific memorandum of understanding will implement joint tourism promotion initiatives for the area of the Strait which will be identified, for the occasion: The Strait of Myth between Scylla and Charybdis. Ideally we will follow the ‘Route of Ulysses’, from the perspective of the ‘terraces on the Strait’, in this case the ‘Umbertine’ fortifications.
Today in Messina, at Palazzo Zanca, the meeting to present the agreement, which was attended by the metropolitan councilor of Reggio Calabria, Giuseppe Ranuccio, delegate for Tourism, and the municipal councilor of Reggio Calabria, Giovanni Latella, both representing the mayor Giuseppe Falcomatà, of the Metropolitan City and of the Municipality of Reggio Calabria. The delegation was welcomed by the mayor of Messina, Federico Basile, by the councilor for tourism Enzo Caruso and by the councilor for Productive Activities Massimo Finocchiaro. Also present were representatives of the Messina Chamber of Commerce, tourist promoters, including Medfort and the Strait Port Authority itself.
The buyers, specially selected in collaboration with the Municipality of Messina, will take part in a tour in advance of the metropolitan area of the Strait: in Messina from 23 to 26 June and in Reggio Calabria from 27 to 29 June. The Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria will make a duly set up room available for a meeting of the companies in the tourism sector of the Metropolitan City with the buyers present.
For the Reggio Calabria municipal councilor, Giovanni Latella “A project and a synergistic path begins between the city of Messina and the city of Reggio Calabria which best outlines the Strait Area, in this case in the tourism sector. This Meeting on Tourism, strongly desired by the two municipal and metropolitan administrations, we consider it very important also because it covers a vast area that goes from Stilo to the entire Costa Viola, and from Taormina to the Aeolian Islands”. “This vast area – he added – is very rich in history, culture, landscapes, food and wine, there are numerous activities that can be undertaken. There are three reference tourist ports, other smaller but well-equipped ones, and an airport. This path, traced by the two mayors whom I thank, is the right path for Messina Basile and the mayor of Reggio Calabria Giuseppe Falcomatà. We must talk more and more – concluded Latella – about the Strait area, because it can be decisive for the development of many sectors, not just tourism”.
“Today is an important milestone which sees the presentation and launch of a project which I believe is of extraordinary value and importance for the metropolitan territories of Reggio Calabria and obviously Messina” stated the metropolitan councilor delegated for Tourism, Giuseppe Ranuccio, adding: “it is the result of important work by the administrations which has the promotion of tourism development at its centre. I am increasingly convinced – he highlighted – that the growth of our territories must focus on the culture and tourism asset. This is the focus of this project which is being launched today and which will unfold with various important stages in the coming days and months to follow, to finally implement that tourist and cultural vocation, in line with the program launched by the metropolitan mayor Giuseppe Falcomatà and whom I thank for the delegation and trust placed in me. Furthermore, this goes well – he anticipated, in conclusion – with the imminent launch of the tourism plan of the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria which will soon be made official”.
