Laura Alese - Federturismo Confindustria

🏠 Over half the rooms for October in Italy's hospitality sector have already been sold (58%), with 45% booked for November and December. Airbnb has logged 5 million reservations for Q4 2024. Optimism prevails after a sold-out summer, with 50.9% of operators expecting a balanced 2024 budget, according to Unioncamere – Isnart. Despite a 16% price hike in August, with an average double room rate of €183, 76.2% of Italian accommodations utilize OTAs, accounting for 42% of Q4 bookings. Direct customer relations remain crucial for 30% of clientele.

🏖 Italy's ecommerce for tourism and travel hit over €18 billion in transportation and more than €20 billion in hospitality in 2024, according to the 11th edition of the Travel Innovation Observatory by Politecnico di Milano. Ecommerce accounted for 56% (€21 billion) of the total €37.5 billion hospitality market and 70% (€18.4 billion) of the €26.3 billion transport sector. The travel market's growth rates differed: hospitality grew by 4%, transportation by 10%, and both tour operators (excluding cruises) and travel agencies by 8%. Air transport saw a 12% passenger increase. In contrast to the post-pandemic period, growth was more moderate. Ecommerce in transport outpaced overall sector growth, rising by 12% and reaching 70% market share in 2024, up from 55% in 2019. Almost half of Italian (49%) and two-thirds of foreign tourists choose destinations based on cultural, gastronomic, and outdoor activities, with enogastronomy leading the preferences. Flexible fare usage increased among Italians from 34% in 2022 to 51% in 2024, with 18% of Italians and 36% of Americans prioritizing travel solutions offering payment installment options. Sustainability concerns varied, with 37% of Americans seeking environmental sustainability information before booking, compared to 14% of Italians and

📍 UNItalk cycle begins on October 22 at 16:30 at the University of Rome Three, aiming to devise strategies for enhancing Rome's attractiveness and developing new tourism offers. The event titled "From urban regeneration to the development of new tourism areas" includes stakeholders and officials like Giuseppe Biazzo, Giuseppe De Martino, Maurizio Veloccia, and others discussing urban projects and international best practices for revitalizing specific Rome areas. The meeting, moderated by Loris Gai of RAI, is held at the Department of Architecture and requires online registration.

💰 In Milan on October 8, 2024, studies by Global Blue and Agility Research & Strategy show 19,000 Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI) spent over €70,000 each on Tax Free Shopping between September 2023 and August 2024. They represent 0.1% of Tax Free shoppers but account for 13% of total spend, averaging €160,000 per shopper. UHNWI segment grew by 33% since 2019, and their spending increased by 26% post-pandemic. 56% visited Europe, 21% Asia, and 23% both, with France and Italy being top destinations. UHNWIs tend to be repeat shoppers, 23% compared to 7% of general shoppers. They purchased nine brands on average, with two brands receiving 75% of their Tax Free sales. By 2027, a 38% increase in ultra-rich is expected, particularly among Americans, Chinese, British, and Indians. Indian UHNWIs (90%) anticipate growing their expenditure the most, and at least 50% of UHNWIs are part of VIP/VIC programs, with the highest participation by Britons (78%). Indian UHNWIs (95%), followed by Britons (88%), show a high propensity for international travel in the next 12 months.