ROME, September 21, 2025 (WAFA) – Italian authorities have decided to exclude Israel from participating in the upcoming international tourism fair TTG Travel Experience 2025, scheduled to take place in the city of Rimini from October 8 to 10. The move comes amid growing pressure from the city’s municipality and widespread public outrage over Israel’s ongoing genocidal onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Rimini Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad said the decision was made due to mounting security concerns and the risk of large-scale protests, as tensions continue to rise across Italy in response to the war on Gaza. He noted that allowing Israel's participation would have turned the event into a scene of significant demonstrations.

The exhibition’s organizer, Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), confirmed that the conditions for Israel’s participation were no longer valid. In a statement, the group said that Israel’s presence at the fair had become “morally and professionally inappropriate” in light of the ongoing destruction and loss of life in Gaza.

The company cited media coverage and official statements from Italian authorities, which emphasized that "promoting areas of war, devastation, and death as tourist destinations is ethically and professionally unacceptable."

IEG, which also manages the Rimini Fiera venue following a merger with Vicenza’s exhibition group, stated it had officially notified Israeli tourism board that its participation conditions had been revoked. The decision reflects the position of Rimini’s municipal government and the Emilia-Romagna regional authorities, under whose jurisdiction the event is held.

The TTG Travel Experience is one of the world’s leading tourism industry events, drawing major operators and stakeholders from around 70 countries. Israel’s exclusion follows a wave of demonstrations across Italy in solidarity with Palestine, as protesters and civic groups demand an end to cooperation with Israel and call for sanctions in response to the ongoing offensive in Gaza.

M.N