Conferenze e Fiere

🌍 Azamara Cruises announces its winter 2026-2027 schedule featuring 66 new cruises and eight Grand Voyages spanning over 35 nights. For the first time, the company will offer winter cruises in Europe and will return to China. Highlights include an extensive Asian program with immersive experiences like exploring the Great Wall of China and a 74-night circumnavigation of South America, as well as Mediterranean and Canary Islands itineraries. Michael Pawlus and David Duff from Azamara are quoted in the announcement.

🏦 Visit Qatar in partnership with Qatar Airways and Q-Tours organized a fam trip for 13 Italian tour operators, showcasing the nation's tourism offerings. From January to October 2024, Qatar saw 4 million international arrivals, matching 2023's full-year total, marking a 26% increase. The country aims for 6 million visitors by 2030. The Italian market contributed 61,000 visitors, a 10% increase from 2023.

🎁 The 'presepe vivente più bello del mondo' in Slovenia's Postojna Cave runs from December 25-30, 2024. Marjan Batagelj highlights the event's historical value, featuring 18 living scenes. Slovenia's top destination, with 1 million international arrivals yearly, is expected to earn €42 million by the end of 2024, a 7% increase over the previous year, with an EBITDA of €20 million (+16%). Despite economic uncertainties, 22,000 visitors and 100 performers attended the 90-minute event in just 5 days.

🏖 Legend Hill, a new resort in Mauritius, is set to open in March 2025, marking the first new resort on the island in 8 years. Located on the west coast, not on the beach but halfway up a hill, it will offer panoramic views of iconic Mauritian landmarks. The resort, part of the high-end French Phoenix Hotel Collection, will feature a Beach Club opening the following year. It comprises 44 rooms and suites, including 2 penthouses, plus 6 apartments and 4 independent villas. Amenities include two restaurants—B. View and Le 1812—and the Santosha bar. The resort targets a broad audience, including couples, families, and honeymooners, with a focus on Middle Eastern guests seeking privacy. Marketing Director Kevina Mudho emphasizes the resort's integration into the landscape and interiors reminiscent of African lodges.

✈ United Airlines to launch a new route from Rome to Denver starting May 2, subject to government approval. The connection will increase seating capacity from Italy to the U.S. by 16%. Daily flights will depart Rome at 14:20, arriving in Denver at 17:45 local time. Additional seasonal routes include Palermo to New York/Newark from May 22 and Venice to Washington D.C. from May 23. In 2024, North American traffic on Rome grew by 21%. United is also introducing flights from New York/Newark to Nuuk, Bilbao, Madeira, and Faro, plus routes from Washington D.C./Dulles to Dakar and Nice.

💵 Ministero del Turismo, under Daniela Santanchè, announces an €8 million funding initiative for high-level training projects to enhance tourism professionals' skills. This move aims to elevate professional standards and expand job markets within the sector. The initiative is part of the Strategic Tourism Plan 2023-2027 and lays the groundwork for a future National Strategic Hub for High-Level Tourism Training. Training entities can submit proposals by 12:00 on January 31, 2025.

🚀 Volotea announces a new flight from Comiso Airport starting April 8, 2025, to Lille, the capital of French Flanders. The route will offer over 10,400 seats for sale. Valeria Rebasti, Volotea's international market director, highlights the opportunity for passengers from northern France to vacation in southern Sicily. Nico Torrisi, CEO of Sac, managing Catania and Comiso airports, mentions the route's contribution to the region's economic and cultural development and its strategic role in boosting inbound tourism.

🏠 'Roma ti abbraccia' is the communication campaign for the Jubilee 2025. Developed by Italy's Presidency of the Council of Ministers with Rome Capital, Lazio Region, the Holy See, and government commissioner Roberto Gualtieri, it invites people to visit Rome for a transformative Holy Year experience. The campaign, unfolding across three levels, will be visible in strategic locations like airports and stations, featuring iconic Roman backdrops such as Piazza San Pietro and Piazza del Popolo.

🏕️ Originaltour has been offering tours in Oman for 25 years. Loredana Arcangeli, General Director, emphasized quality services and on-field experience, with her daughter Elena coordinating in Oman. They provide weekly guaranteed departures on off-road vehicles, personalized group itineraries, and certified guides. Oman now has over 50 tented camps in the desert, a significant increase since Originaltour started programming the destination.

🏢 Italy at Hand, the global meeting industry event, concluded in Turin with its 6th edition featuring 80 buyers from 21 countries and more than 2,448 B2B meetings. Venice Region Convention Bureau Network will host Italy at Hand 2025 in Venice and Veneto. Carlotta Ferrari, President of Convention Bureau Italia, emphasized Italy's strength and innovation in the meeting industry.