Summit Agenda

Sunday, 17 May 2026

• 08:30 - 09:00

  Welcome Registration

• 09:00 - 09:15

  Opening Remarks

  Setting the tone for the summit by linking Rimini’s unique positioning and the momentum from Routes Europe with the broader need for pan-European collaboration on tourism seasonality.

• 09:15 - 09:45

  Keynote Address: Europe's New Tourism Era

  We explore how seasonality fits into Europe’s post-pandemic tourism evolution, highlighting challenges and new opportunities for building a more resilient, balanced visitor economy.

• 09:45 - 10:45

  Panel Discussion: High Season Hangover - Managing Peaks with Purpose

  This session focuses on the pressures of overtourism during peak seasons and the tools available (taxation, caps, dispersal) to spread demand and protect community wellbeing and visitor experience.

• 10:45 - 11:15

  Networking Break

• 11:15 - 12:00

  Panel Discussion: Global Perspectives – Seasonality Solutions from Beyond Europe

  Introduces international best practices in seasonal tourism management, offering fresh insights and transferable models from other regions that European destinations can learn from.

• 12:00 - 12:30

  Innovation Keynote: Harnessing AI for Smarter Seasonality Planning

  Demonstrates how artificial intelligence can power demand forecasting, product development, and marketing to better balance tourism flows across the calendar.

• 12:30 - 13:30

  Networking Lunch

• 13:30 - 14:15

  Panel Discussion: Next Gen Connectivity – Air Mobility & Regional Access

  Our expert panel examine how new aviation technologies and smart air route development can support sustainable growth in underserved regions and smooth out seasonal spikes in arrivals.

• 14:15 - 15:00

  Panel Discussion: Beyond Summer - Crafting Low Season Experiences

  Our panel of experts share proven strategies to package and promote off-season travel, from wellness retreats and winter festivals to nature-based and cultural immersion experiences.

• 15:00 - 15:45

  Panel Discussion: Seasonality Meets Sustainability - Building Climate Resilience

  Our panel discusses how climate change is shifting tourism patterns, and how destinations can build seasonal flexibility into their climate adaptation and sustainability planning.

• 15:45 - 16:30

  Keynote Address: Doing More with Less

  An inspiring, practical perspective on how tourism leaders can move from inertia to impact with creative thinking, resourcefulness, and behaviour change models.

• 17:00 - 19:00

  Routes Europe 2026 Welcome Reception

  Delegates join the airlines and airports from Routes Europe to be welcomed officially to Rimini for an informal networking evening highlighting how culture, heritage, gastronomy, and atmosphere can be part of a year-round tourism narrative.

Monday, 18 May 2026

• 09:00 - 09:10

  Welcome Back - Day 2 Objectives

  We outline the goal of transitioning from strategic dialogue to hands-on innovation and co-creation of actionable solutions.

• 09:10 - 10:40

  Innovation Lab: Pitching the Future of Seasonality

  Startups pitch solutions tackling real-world seasonality problems, from dynamic pricing and weather-resilient experiences to demand prediction and regional dispersal tools.

• 10:40 - 11:00

  Networking Break

• 11:00 - 12:30

  Interactive Workshop: Co-Creating New Seasonal Business

  Main Stage

  What happens when airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and tourism boards stop talking about each other – and start talking with each other? In this workshop, we dive into the friction zones of the off-season and turn blame into bold ideas. It’s about shared visions, honest conversations, and new alliances that go beyond business as usual. If you’re ready to shift perspectives and explore what’s really possible together – this is your space.

• 11:00 - 12:30

  Interactive Workshop: Destination Playbooks

  Stage 2

  This session supports DMO and tourism authority teams in crafting tailored strategies to extend seasons, drawing on data, case studies, and co-design frameworks.

• 12:30 - 13:30

  Networking Lunch

• 13:30 - 14:00

  Collaborative Workshop Wrap-up: Seasonality Action Manifesto

  Synthesizes workshop outputs into a practical action framework, this manifesto will guide attendees’ future work and represent the summit’s collective commitment.

• 14:00 - 14:30

  Closing Session & Farewell Remarks

  Summary of the key takeaways, recognising contributors, and setting the direction for follow-ups, including potential collaborations, toolkits, and a roadmap for 2027.