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💧 In Sicily, despite a drought that garnered international media attention from outlets like CNN, which advised against travel to the island, the region is seeing a rise in foreign tourists. Nicola Farruggio, Vice President of Federalberghi Sicilia, criticized the negative publicity. Elvira Amata, the tourism councilor, arranged a meeting to address the issue. Giuseppe Rosano, President of Noi Albergatori di Siracusa, reported a 30,000 increase in tourism, predominantly foreign, over six months. Agrigento struggles with water supply, but in Syracuse, tourism is booming with visitors from the US, Korea, and Eastern Europe, while domestic tourism lags due to economic factors and expensive flights. Some fear promotional campaigns could backfire. Palermo and Catania airports experience high traffic, and tourist accommodations are not affected by the drought.

🚀 During a global IT crash on a Friday, Ita Airways canceled 60 flights, including 34 at Rome Fiumicino and 26 at Milan Linate, but rebooked over 90% of affected travelers. Wizz Air offered a 120% refund in credits for canceled flights. In India, some airlines like IndiGo resorted to handwritten boarding passes, while major U.S. airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta halted all flights, creating chaos at busy airports such as Los Angeles. Sydney Airport's system was completely affected. Minor panic in Europe: Iberia in Spain avoided cancellations, Lufthansa in Berlin faced limited disruptions, Eurowings canceled all domestic flights, and Dublin's Ryanair experienced check-in issues.

🚂 Air Transat, present in Italy for 36 years, enhances summer operations with daily non-stop flights from Rome Fiumicino to Toronto and Montréal in July, August, and September. New this summer 2024: flights from Rome to Lima, Peru via Toronto on Wednesdays and Saturdays, continuing until October 26. Venice Marco Polo Airport offers twice-weekly non-stop flights to Toronto on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and to Montréal on Mondays and Fridays.