The Barumini, Altopiano della Giara, and Villanovafranca Foundations presented themselves together at the Venice International Exchange of Experiential Tourism (BITESP) as a single cultural and identity network , to bring the island's beating heart to the world . Their participation brought an integrated narrative of Sardinia's history, archaeology, and natural heritage to this important national and international showcase, sparking strong interest among buyers from around the world.
The three foundations shared an exhibition space that brought together symbols of Sardinian history and culture: Su Nuraxi in Barumini , a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Nuraghe of Villanovafranca ; and the Giara Plateau , with its wild horses and a landscape that preserves the age-old relationship between man and nature. The single-story presentation offered visitors a compact image of inland Sardinia , its roots , and its ability to transform into a modern, recognizable, and high-quality tourist destination . During their days in Venice, the three foundations met with leading international tour operators , cultural and experiential tourism professionals , specialized operators , and representatives of European museums and archaeological institutions. The discussions generated widespread appreciation for the unified approach with which the three organizations presented themselves, opening up new growth prospects, with requests for further information and the possibility of future collaboration .
The presidents of the foundations expressed great satisfaction . Emanuele Lilliu , president of the Barumini Foundation , underlined the value of a shared presence: "Being at BITESP was a source of pride , because we presented ourselves once again in a high-level context , but this time as a network. Barumini has always believed in sharing with the local municipalities and in the power of joint work . Bringing together our archaeological, cultural and tourist excellence means building a recognizable and competitive destination for the Sardinian tourism landscape ." Lilliu recalled how the Barumini Foundation has been pursuing a path of collaboration and integrated promotion for years, including recent participation in national events dedicated to cultural tourism and the Tourism Expo .
A central role was played by the Altopiano della Giara Foundation , which presented the area's unique features to international buyers: the Domus de Janas , the nuraghes scattered across the plateau , the museums of Tuili, Setzu, Genoni, and Gesturi , and the famous Giara horse . President Maurizio Concas commented on the experience: "We've seen extraordinary interest : the attentive listening of visitors, the amazement, and the curiosity demonstrate how the Giara can excite those discovering it for the first time . We're bringing home a significant number of contacts and confirmation that our identity , shared with other foundations, can become a strong draw in international markets ."
The president of the Villanovafranca Foundation, Matteo Castangia , adds: "The joint presence of the three foundations is a strategic step towards strengthening cooperation between territories that share history, roots, and development potential . This model allows Sardinia to present itself not as a sum of individual entities, but as an integrated cultural system , capable of engaging with international operators and building new, coherent, and competitive tourism itineraries ."
