Innovazione

☕ On September 9, an original coffee event took place in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, organized by the Associazione Maestri dell’Espresso Napoletano led by President Francesco Costanzo. At the event, coffee experts Andrej Godina and Mauro Illiano tasted 17 different coffee references across six different pod machines, totaling 102 sensory responses. The "La Piccola" machine from Carpenedolo (BS), made in Italy by Gianluca Venturelli, was highly praised, along with machines from Spinel and Aroma. The event highlighted the espresso's complexity and the need for consumer education, with the same pod producing different flavors on different machines. Among the coffees tested, notable mentions include "Pulcinella" by Lucaffè, "Espresso Napoletano Formula Bar" by Kimbo, and "Arabica Top Selection" by Kremoso.

📌 GeCo Vacation Rentals, led by CEO Marco Fabbroni, achieved a 150% increase from the previous year. The company has expanded to over 800 properties in Italy, including 100 luxury villas and estates. With process optimization and customer loyalty as contributing factors, GeCo aims to exceed $4 million in revenue and grow its portfolio to over 1,000 properties by 2025, expanding into regions like Liguria, the lake area, Veneto, Amalfi Coast, Sardinia, Calabria, Puglia, Sicily, and internationally in France and Croatia. They plan to invest in innovative technologies and staff training, ensuring personalized service and assistance 365 days a year.

📱 CISA Smart Access app transforms smartphones into digital keys for contactless room access, enhancing efficiency and connectivity in hospitality. The app sends a link via WhatsApp or email for easy download and credential setup, which automatically disables at check-out. The system integrates with CISA eSIGNO 2.0 electronic locks using Bluetooth®, allows room changes with a touch, supports Face ID for secure access, and contributes to sustainability by reducing plastic card use. CISA will present its solutions at SIA, Stand 004, from October 9-11, 2024.

🇧🇷 Evolution Travel launches a new portal dedicated to Brazil, offering personalized services, quality assurance, and in-country Italian support. Notable tours include 'La rotta delle emozioni', a 9-day journey from São Luis to Fortaleza, and an 8-day New Year's itinerary exploring Rio de Janeiro and Paraty.

🎭 Disneyland Paris launches 'Disney Stars Training' program today, focusing on sales for April 1, 2025 to March 30, 2026. Training starts across Italy on September 29, with three levels: Disney Stars Discovery (650 agencies, 38 live events), Disney Stars Academy (250 agencies, 8 events), and Disney Stars University (30 Ambassador agencies, 3 days at Disneyland Paris). Invitations are digital, sent by Disneyland Paris's Italian team. Plus, 'magical options' for the new season are now on sale.

🍸 Luca Bruni, 34-year-old head bartender at Depero and Tukana in Rieti, won the Italian final of Diageo World Class last June and is now competing in the world finals in Shanghai. In April, he also won the global final of The Vero Bartender by Montenegro. On September 30, Bruni will debut as a judge at the Spiritosa Cocktail Competition during the Spiritosa Festival from September 28-30 at Castello Volante in Corigliano d'Otranto (Lecce). He emphasizes that the experience offered to the customer is more memorable than the drink's taste, focusing on overall experience, ambiance, and drink presentation. Bruni supports pre-batching cocktails for improved customer service and believes creativity must be tailored to the context of the bar and its clientele.

🏖️ International visitor presence in Italy up 14% from 2023; their spending increased by 20% in early 2024. Tourism could contribute up to 15% of Italy's GDP according to Eurispes. However, overtourism is highlighted, with Dubrovnik, Venice, and Macao as top urban destinations affected per square kilometer in 2023. Rome ranks 13th, just behind Paris at 12th. More info at [Eurispes](https://eurispes.eu/).

🏘️ BT Group's Pergola Bioclimatica Pergomove, a retractable structure made from aluminum, can be free-standing or wall-mounted. It features a gutter system for water collection and adjustable aluminum slats for sun protection. The pergola is customizable and can reach up to L 4.50 x S 6.00 m in size, with four 20 x 20 cm posts. Its use is suitable for any season, enhanced with optional LED lighting and exclusive motor operation.

📈 Casa Optima Group, Italian owner of eight popular artisanal ice cream and high-quality pastry brands, has officially launched its revamped website. The redesign, a collaboration between Casa Optima's digital and marketing teams and Life, a communication agency, enhances user experience and reflects the group's identity and values. The website features advanced web architecture for smooth user navigation, responsive design, and high-quality content to represent Casa Optima's commitment to sustainability and excellence. Matteo Sala, CMO of Casa Optima, and Alberto Tivoli, CEO of Life, stress the digital platform's role in marketing and brand enhancement. The launch accompanies various on and offline campaigns, new product launches, trade fair set-ups, digital communication, videos, and catalogs, showcasing Casa Optima's comprehensive communication capabilities. Horecanews.it, covering news and insights on the restaurant industry and more, reports on the update.

💸 Rome's accommodation facilities have the opportunity to apply for the Bando Voucher Digitali Impresa 4.0, supported by the Chamber of Commerce of Rome, aimed at digital transformation for hotels. Offering up to 70% coverage on eligible expenses, with a cap of €10,000, this grant can reach 100% using services from an affiliated Digital Innovation Hub. Minimum participation expense is €3,000. Applications open from September 12 to September 26, 2024, with project execution between January 1 and April 30, 2025, and expense reporting by May 31, 2025.