Innovazione

🚲 Italy is the top requested destination for bicycle vacations in 2024, as revealed by "State of the Cycling Tour Operators Industry 2024," conducted among 245 operators, 69% European. The cycle tourism market saw a 66% growth in turnover in 2023, with 68% expecting higher revenues in 2024. The average trip lasts 4-8 days, costing €128 in Europe and €214 outside. U.S. tourists lead (29%), followed by Germany (16%) and the UK (13%). Preferred accommodations are 3-star hotels (74%), with top activities being city visits (83%) and nature sites (68%). Key challenges include inflation, promotion, seasonality (46%), staffing shortages (32%), and technological upgrades (21%). The e-bike trend is growing, with 51% acknowledging its expanding market influence.

💶 Euro-Emotur project discussed at TTG Travel Experience 2024 aims to bolster business innovation and digital transformation. Key figures: Tim Fairhurst (Etoa), Federica Francioni (Itinere Bike&Travel), Erica Mingotto (Ciset), Enrico Olivieri (Le Palme Camping & Village). Partners include Etoa, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tourism Board of Gran Canaria, NECSTouR, Haaga Helia University, and Ciset. Over 100 businesses involved, 60 from pilot areas in Veneto, Gran Canaria, Finland, and 40 elsewhere in Europe, plus 80 digital providers. The project entailed digital situation analysis, neuromarketing strategies implementation for web portals, and digital channel development support through a digital hub.

🍻 Pernod Ricard Italia partners with Warner Music Italia for a series of three "one night" events at Warner Music Club in Milan, offering a mix of music and high-quality responsible drinking. The first night featured Monkey 47 and Jameson. Alice Marinelli from Pernod Ricard Italia emphasizes the promotion of responsible drinking to foster deep human connections, aligning with Warner's values for culturally relevant consumption experiences. The partnership aims to enhance brand loyalty among consumers of both companies.

🌆 Hospitality Day, an annual tourism and hospitality event, took place on October 8, 2024, at Palacongressi di Rimini. Organized by Teamwork Hospitality, the event marked its 11th edition with over 5,000 attendees from across Italy, more than 250 speakers, and 300 partnering companies. The event featured emerging topics, successful case studies, and innovative visions for the industry's future. Key themes included commercial development, digital automation, leadership, customer loyalty, marketing, AI, sustainability, and inclusive hospitality. Eight thematic arenas offered specialized insights into hotel design, communication, housekeeping, F&B, revenue, technology, and future hotel trends.

🍽 IN-SANE owns 51% and KUIRI 49% of STAR KITCHEN, a new venture by IDNTT Group focusing on B2C Food & Beverage market, leveraging content creators and 'Cloud kitchen' expertise. STAR KITCHEN will collaborate with selected talents to create exclusive restaurant brands, offering operational resources while talents handle promotion and marketing. Cicciogamer89, a prominent gaming content creator with 3.6 million YouTube subscribers, generated over €500,000 in 6 months via Deliveroo with Cicciogamer burgers and plans to open a restaurant in Rome by year's end. KUIRI, with a network of integrated metropolitan kitchens, partners with famous Del Vecchio family fund LMDV Capital, AZIMUT, and B HEROES. IDNTT, a Swiss-based Martech Content Factory with ISO 9001 certified omnichannel content production, acquired IN-SANE in October 2022, and holds 59% of RealLife Television since June 2024.

📊 In Italia, il mercato dell'Agricoltura 4.0 ha raggiunto un valore di 2,5 miliardi di euro nel 2023, con un incremento del 19% rispetto all'anno precedente. L'Osservatorio Smart AgriFood e il Laboratorio RISE hanno evidenziato la centralità dell'intelligenza artificiale nel settore agroalimentare e la necessità di supporto alle PMI nella transizione digitale. Il carbon farming è adottato solo dal 9% delle aziende, mentre la tracciabilità digitale cresce del 22% nel 2023, spinta da IoT, Cloud e Blockchain.

🥃 Italian distilleries of whisky have grown from 1 to nearly 20 in less than a decade, with "Il Signor Camillo" and "Florentis" being notable examples featured during the Whisky Week Veneto, marking Whisky Club Italia's 10th anniversary. "Il Signor Camillo" by Mulino di Sassello in Savona, led by Master Distiller Diego, will launch its whisky in 2025 after maturing in French oak barrels, while "Florentis" from Florence is characterized by Super Tuscan and Vinsanto wine barrel aging. Strada Ferrata in Seregno will release its inaugural whisky priced at €79 on October 12, and aims to create single cask releases and expand distribution by 2027-2028.

☕ Rhea's coffee cocktail events at Milan Linate Airport's VIP lounge Leonardo concluded, offering gourmet coffee-based drinks and enriching the coffee break experience for transit passengers. The initiative, a collaboration between Rhea and SEA, combined Rhea's tabletop machines with barista creativity, resulting in positive passenger feedback and interactive experiences. CEO Andrea Pozzolini expressed satisfaction and sees potential for future hospitality innovations. The gourmet journey began in July and included unique beverages like Cheesecake Coffee and Tao Oat, celebrating Italian style during Milan Fashion Week. Rhea, established in 1960, operates in over 100 countries and is renowned for its high-quality coffee machines.

📃 — In the tourism sector, 74% of global companies are investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), as reported by Paola De Filippo, general manager of Sabre. Sabre aims to support the trade's journey into AI, while CartOrange leverages AI to improve their consultants' sales performance. CartOrange focuses on generative AI to reduce operational time spent by personal travel agents (PTAs) on tasks such as data entry and content writing, as emphasized by their CEO, Gianpaolo Romano. Luca Adami, CMO of Volonline, highlights AI's crucial role in enabling competition within the industry.

🍫 Domori launched "Antologia" – its new "ambassador" line featuring 12 distinctive chocolate bars and 4 snacks. Aimed at international markets, this range showcases Domori’s dedication to quality, innovation, and passion for excellence. The collection is crafted with rare Criollo cacao and comes in elegant packaging designed for global appeal. Domori is preparing for expansion with a €25 million facility set to open in 2025, including a brand outlet in None, adding to the existing Turin store. Antologia is already available online and at Domori stores.