Emilio De Risi

🚗 Italy surpassed France in tourism, ranking second in Europe with a record-high 458.4 million tourist nights in 2024, a 2.5% increase from 2023 and 5% above pre-COVID-19 levels. Domestic tourist arrivals in Italy dropped from 65.8 million to 60.8 million, while foreign tourist arrivals increased from 67.9 million to 68.5 million. Spain led the chart with 500.1 million tourist nights, with France at 451 million. Overall, tourism grew in 34 out of 37 European countries monitored by Eurostat. However, Italy experienced a 3.2% decrease in tourist arrivals in 2024, with total arrivals at 129.3 million, down from 133.6 million in 2023. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines will start charging for baggage from late May, abandoning its two-free-bag policy. The company also announced its first major layoff of 1,750 employees, 15% of its workforce, due to pressure from shareholders like Elliott Investment Management to increase revenue and profits. Major US airlines anticipate a weaker economic environment affecting domestic travel demand. Spirit Airlines aims for profitability after restructuring following Chapter 11, focusing on premium travel. The Trump administration is considering travel restrictions, potentially affecting international travel sentiment, and the third season of "The White Lotus" set in Koh Samui, Thailand, may boost tourism but raises concerns about environmental impacts

❄ Domestic tourism in Italy saw 8 million people traveling in the first quarter of the year, with vacations lasting 4-5 days, 10% planning a ski week, 80% staying within Italy (primarily in Trentino Alto Adige, Val d’Aosta, and Piemonte), and 9% traveling abroad, a 4% increase from the previous year. Emilio De Risi will moderate a roundtable in Milan at the Tfp summit. B&B Hotels plans to expand from 78 to 150 hotels by 2030. London's underground WWII Blitz tunnels are set to become a new tourist attraction with a museum and entertainment area, at a cost of $149 million.

🍲 In Italy, Istat's 2022 report shows 10.7% of employees earn a low hourly wage of €8.9; women's average hourly pay is €15.9 versus men's €16.8. The accommodation and food services sector has the lowest average wage of €10.9 per hour. Amadeus invested in AI for meeting sales management, and OpenAI introduced a tool for autonomous travel bookings, partnering with companies like Booking.com and Uber. Ryanair reduced its investment in Rome's Fiumicino Airport by €100 million due to rising costs. Chef Felix Lo Basso left Milan for Switzerland, citing high rents and low wages. Chef Marc Veyrat banned Michelin inspectors from his French Alps restaurant.

🏊 In Greece, to conserve water amidst drought, future swimming pools may be filled with seawater, a measure promoted by Tourism Minister Elena Rapti. TripAdvisor collaborates with AI firm Perplexity to improve travel advice. Singapore's passport ranks highest globally—access to 195 destinations without a visa—while Italy's, among others, allows visa-free entry to 192. The 'Via degli dei,' a trek from Bologna to Florence, received GSTC certification. In 2024, it saw over 23,000 hikers and generated €12 million. Italy's real estate investment in tourism reached €1.8 billion, 18% of the total, with Rome, Venice, Milan, and Forte dei Marmi leading. QC Spa of Wonders plans a €20 million wellness and hotel project in Mandello del Lario. MSC aims to challenge Carnival and Royal Caribbean in the U.S. cruise market with a 60-second Super Bowl ad featuring celebrities, with a 30-second slot costing $7 million.