Innovazione

💳 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.

💰 In 2024, Italy's business travel sector matched pre-pandemic levels with over 31,000 trips by companies with at least 10 employees, a 3% increase from 2023. European trips grew more sharply, while international travel decreased. Italy accounted for 70% of these trips, rising 3% to nearly 23,000 bookings, and European travel made up about 20%, up 4%. However, trips outside Europe fell by 3%. The sector generated over €22 million, averaging €710 per business trip. Domestic trip costs rose to €390, while international remained at €2,000. Cost containment, sustainability, and AI use are key trends, with 55% of larger companies adopting cost-saving measures, 84% booking early, 50% choosing economy class, and 20% using AI tools. Companies favoring sustainable travel options increased from 19% to 43%.

????️ Royal Caribbean will launch the new Icon class ship, "Legend of the Seas," in November 2026, offering year-round voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Western and Southern Caribbean. Before its Caribbean debut, it will host summer adventures in the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona starting July 2026. Currently under construction in Turku, Finland, "Legend of the Seas" will feature eight themed neighborhoods, over 40 dining and bar options, and attractions like Crown's Edge and Category 6 waterpark. It will also have seven pools including Royal Bay— the largest ever built on a cruise ship. Additionally, this ship will be the fourth in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).