DigAccessAgrotourism at the Thessaloniki International Fair

From 5 to 13 September 2026, ItalChamber presented the DigAccessAgrotourism project at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), a landmark edition celebrating one hundred years since the first fair opened its doors in 1926.

A century of trade and exchange

The idea for TIF came from Nikolaos Germanos, a professor of zoology and member of the Greek Parliament, who in 1925 proposed an international fair to revive trade and industry in post-war Greece and reconnect Thessaloniki with markets across the Balkans and Central Europe. The first fair was inaugurated on 3 October 1926.

A century later, TIF is Greece's largest and most historic trade exhibition and a major business hub for Southeastern Europe. Held every September in the heart of Thessaloniki, it is also the stage on which the Greek Prime Minister traditionally delivers the annual address on national economic policy. Its fairgrounds, covering more than 180,000 m², are currently being transformed under a new masterplan into a modern green exhibition park.

Each year, TIF welcomes an Honoured Country to strengthen bilateral trade and innovation partnerships; past guests include Germany, the United States and China. For the centenary edition, the honour went to Japan, whose pavilion showcased the meeting of tradition and technology. This year's fair brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors from 25 countries across 11 thematic sections, and the event typically attracts between 200,000 and 250,000 visitors over its nine days.

Bringing accessible agrotourism to a wider audience

ItalChamber takes part in TIF every year, and this edition offered a valuable opportunity to introduce DigAccessAgrotourism to entrepreneurs, institutions and visitors from Greece and abroad. Alongside sections such as "Flavours of Greece", which featured PDO products and local cooperatives, the fair gatheres many of the rural producers and small businesses that shape Greece's agrotourism offer.

A fantastic opportunity to promote accessibility in the agrotourims sector at international level.