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💸 In 2024, there was a 2% increase from 2023 and a 12% annual rise in vacation loans in Italy, totaling nearly 250 million euros in personal loans. Around 150,000 applications were recorded, averaging nearly 5,000 euros per loan to be repaid in 50 monthly installments. The trend is particularly strong among under-30s, who make up one-third of the demand, with the average age of applicants at 38 years. Economic reasons drive this surge, with 6.5 million Italians skipping vacations and another 7.7 million uncertain about traveling, 56% citing financial issues as the cause. Young people under 25 and seniors over 65 are most affected, with over 70% of the latter forgoing holidays due to economic constraints.

🏂 Italy's Apennine ski resorts receive a new tranche of non-repayable funding worth €13 million from the Ministry of Tourism to counter the impact of last winter's low snowfall and reduced visitor numbers. The support, reported by Messaggero today, will benefit lift operators, artificial snowmaking businesses, hospitality enterprises, travel agencies, and tour operators, continuing until 2028.

🧠 Federterme Confindustria highlighted the introduction of a legislative proposal framework for the thermal and wellness sector in the Italian Senate. The legislation aims to make Italy a leader in medical, thermal and wellness tourism, leveraging the healing properties of Italian waters. It includes measures to revitalize the sector, promote its healing function, incentives for facility refurbishment, tax breaks for companies, and expansion of thermal treatments available through the National Health Service. The proposal also includes integrating thermal treatments into the national health and social care services network and establishing a fund at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Mef). Federterme emphasizes the role of thermal tourism in off-season flow destagionalization and regional growth, urging a swift parliamentary process.

📰 The Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) is conducting an investigation into Booking.com for alleged abuse of dominant position, started in March. Booking.com has proposed commitments to ensure fair pricing across different online channels and not to disadvantage competitors. The AGCM has set a deadline of September 13, 2024, for comments on the commitments. Booking.com has cooperated with the AGCM and seeks to balance partner interests with customer choice and pricing.