Innovazione

✈ Wizz Air launches a new route between Rome Fiumicino and Birmingham starting June 16, flying three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using the latest generation Airbus A321neo. This expansion strengthens Wizz Air's presence in Italy and offers more travel options to explore the UK. The announcement was made by Salvatore Gabriele Imperiale, corporate communications manager of Wizz Air.

🏕️ Saxony, Italy, sees a 15.6% increase in overnight stays by Italian tourists in 2024 compared to the previous year. The region recorded 8.1 million arrivals (+2.7% from 2023) and 19.9 million overnight stays (+0.6%). Dresden and Leipzig are key attractions, along with the European Football Championships and cultural routes in Saxon Switzerland, Elbe Valley, and Ore Mountains. Foreign tourists accounted for 952,140 arrivals and 2,176,619 overnight stays, 8% of the total. Notable growth from the Netherlands (+16%), the United States (+13.4%), and the Czech Republic (+12.5%). Saxony's tourism strategies are affirmed by the growth despite a slight decrease in German overnight stays (-0.2%). Looking ahead to 2025, Chemnitz's selection as the European Capital of Culture is poised to further boost tourism.

💳 Antonio Di Berardino, country manager of Dojo in Italy, aims to speed up payment times and simplify daily operations for those in the experience economy. Dojo, a UK-originated Paymentsense brand, serves the hospitality and restaurant sectors with innovative, multi-cloud payment solutions. As of 2024, Dojo boasts 150,000 customers across Italy, the UK, Ireland, and Spain with an annual transaction volume of €43 billion. Their cloud-based system is adaptable, featuring 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, pre-configured terminals, and a multilingual call center that resolves 90% of issues within 16 seconds. After establishing a European legal headquarters in Ireland, Dojo expanded to Spain in May 2024 and Italy in October. The Italian team has a Milanese HQ, 14 staff members, and a 40-person sales force. Dojo has recently entered the rent-a-car sector and is exploring new markets.

📍 easyJet leverages trade communication, digital campaigns, and competitive pricing to promote new "remedies" routes from Milan Linate, where business segment accounts for 30% of sales, and Rome Fiumicino. Lorenzo Lagorio, the country manager for easyJet in Italy, highlights the strategic importance of flights from both hubs to Frankfurt and Brussels, offering competitive prices against legacy carriers. By 2025, easyJet plans to offer 20 million seats in Italy, focusing on bleisure opportunities and expanding to medium-long haul destinations, including Egypt, Morocco, Israel, and Jordan. Their sustainable flight operations include the use of SAF fuels, new Airbus Neo aircraft, and AI-driven route optimization and customer care acceleration.

🏬 Luigi Cantamessa, Director General of Fondazione Fs Italiane, announced the planned 2026 reopening of Europe's southernmost station, Pachino, subject to unforeseen events. The foundation, operational since 2013 and backed by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, RFI, and Trenitalia, aims to protect and pass on Italy's railway heritage. Restored the Museo nazionale ferroviario di Pietrarsa near Naples in 2017 and selected Milan, La Spezia, and Pistoia for historic rolling stock depots. Secured €435 million from the Ministry of Culture's national complementary plan to the Pnrr. Over 1000 km of disused lines have been reopened, including the Noto-Pachino line featuring a new environmentally integrated station at Vendicari oasis.

📖 Fiavet Toscana-Confcommercio organizes ongoing training programs, including courses on Tik Tok marketing, communication strategies, AI in travel, storytelling, social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), accounting for travel agencies, GDS and ticketing. President Pier Carlo Testa emphasizes enhancing travel agents' consultancy skills for a competitive edge. Courses, supported by the Ente bilaterale del Turismo Toscana, are free for members and scheduled in low season to avoid work interference.

🏖️ Italy's Ministry of Tourism received 112 applications for training grants, indicating a sector need for professional growth. The national call for tourist guides approaches 20,000 applications. Minister Daniela Santanchè highlighted this as proof of the tourism industry's need for new growth and innovation tools. Specifically, 38 applications were for the "Fund to Increase Professional Level in Tourism" and 74 for the creation of a National Strategic Polo for High-Level Tourism Training. For more details, visit www.ministeroturismo.gov.it.

📱 Mobile data access is crucial for modern travelers for navigation, communication, and remote work. eSIM technology allows instant activation of local or international data plans without physical SIM cards, providing a seamless connectivity solution. Chekin empowers hotels and vacation rentals to integrate eSIM services, enhancing guest satisfaction, creating revenue streams, and offering a competitive edge. With Chekin, properties can offer uninterrupted internet access, monetize premium eSIM packages, and differentiate their brand in the hospitality market.

🏊 "Piscine Pro," launched in 2024, is now used by 200 Italian pools, boosting bookings by 75%. Emilia Romagna and Lombardia lead with 44 and 39 pools respectively. Target users are Italian tourists aged 25-40, typically employees, visiting with partners or family. The average spend per visit is €34, with reservations made four days in advance. Analysts predict a surge in advanced management software adoption by 2028.

🏠 Chekin's platform can automate up to 87% of guest management activities for holiday home owners in Italy, ensuring efficient remote property management. High-demand tourist destinations like the Amalfitana Coast, Tuscany, and the Italian Alps offer seasonal rental opportunities but at higher purchase prices. Buyers must consider ongoing expenses such as maintenance, property management, and local taxes against potential rental income to assess investment profitability. Legal compliance with Italian rental property laws is crucial. Using technology like Chekin for management can significantly streamline operations and maximize profits.