Conferenze e Fiere

🏖 Two out of three Italians are planning their summer vacations post-Christmas festivities, with over one in four also considering springtime getaways. On average, Italians spend €1,130 per person on vacations, which rises to almost €1,900 for extra-European trips. In 2024, 72% vacationed in summer, while 23% postponed to winter. For future travels, 65% already have summer plans, with 28% utilizing bridge holidays between Easter and May 1st. The sea is the top choice for 48%, followed by touring (16%), mountains (12%), and art cities (7%). Seventy-one percent intend to undertake cultural trips; half will spend a week away, with older travelers extending stays for long-distance destinations. Early booking is common, with 10% already booked in January 2025 and 74% planning to book later—65% will book online, increasing to 79% among Gen Z. Budget-wise, one-third plan to spend more in 2025 on travel and accommodation, with half maintaining the same budget. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is considered by 26%, especially for those booking in advance or for high-cost packages.

📅 In Europe, eDreams notes that the United States and France lead with each accounting for 13% of total searches toward Rome. A significant increase in searches from Bosnia and Herzegovina (435%), Slovakia (279%), and Taiwan (156%) highlights the global appeal of Rome's Jubilee. Italian searches rose by 24% compared to last year. Monthly data shows a 30% increase in January travel searches, with a year-end surge: +36% for November, +77% for December, and +80% for January 2026. Spaniards, known for their devout Catholicism, make up 33% of bookings, followed by France (21%) and Italy (12%). Portugal leads new nationalities with bookings up by 138%, UK by 81%, and Romania by 53%. Bookings in January rose by 25% over the same period in 2024, with a notable 36% increase in April, influenced by Easter. Booking habits: 41% book less than a month prior, 36% from 31 to 90 days before, and 23% plan over three months in advance. Travellers' stays: 55% visit Rome for 3/4 days, 13% stay 5/6 days, and 21% opt for 2-day trips.

🏛 Blu Hotels has renewed management for another 20 years for two strategic properties: Grand Hotel Forte dei Marmi and Grand Hotel Misurina. The renewal of the Grand Hotel Misurina is crucial for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina, due to its proximity to Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Grand Hotel in Forte dei Marmi, managed by Blu Hotels since 1993, underwent a significant renovation worth over three million euros. Nicola Risatti, President of Blu Hotels, emphasizes the importance of these renewals and the ongoing investments in service excellence.

💎 Grand Hotel Adriatico offers a Valentine's Day package in Florence with a romantic room, breakfast, chocolates, Prosecco, and piano bar aperitif, plus massage discounts. Hotel Nasco in Milan provides a 10% discount, breakfast in bed, and potential free upgrades. Minos Palace features luxury suites with private pools, and Shivas Galaxy Hotel promotes with a GIF countdown, 50% discounts, and free meal upgrades. Hotel Viest in Vicenza has a wellness-focused package with a Relax double room, SPA access, and couple's Thai massage. These strategies aim to increase direct bookings and enhance the romantic holiday experience.

📍 On May 16, Air Canada will launch a new non-stop flight from Naples Capodichino to Montreal, marking the first direct connection between the Campania airport and Canada with four weekly flights. The service complements existing seasonal flights to New York-JFK, New York-Newark, and Philadelphia by American Airlines, Delta, and United, with United resuming its twice-daily flights from April 4. Air Canada will operate the Naples route with Boeing 787-800 aircraft, seating up to 255 passengers.

✈ Frontier Airlines launched Frontier Vacations, offering bundled airfares, hotels, and ground transportation for trips within the USA, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. Frontier Vacations also provides global hotel stays with exclusive deals for Frontier Miles members. Chief Commercial Officer Bobby Schroeter highlighted the ease of planning travel with these packages. To celebrate the launch, Frontier partnered with Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort in Humacao, Puerto Rico, to give away a trip for two.

🎢 Adventures by Disney launches a new river cruise itinerary in Southern France starting 2026. Reservations open February 10 for past guests and February 12 for the general public. Departures from Lyon on the AmaKristina, operated by AmaWaterways, include five dates, one for adults only. The 8-day journey from Lyon to Provence features a Ratatouille-inspired culinary tour. Activities include chocolate-making, juice-tasting, and prehistoric cave painting workshops. Guided by Disney-trained companions, the cruise visits Lyon, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, and Marseille, with highlights like the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard, Train de l’Ardeche, and pétanque in Viviers. The inaugural trip is on June 4, 2026.

🎢 Costa Crociere partners with the Festival di Sanremo for the fourth year, featuring the Costa Toscana as a floating stage on February 15 during the finale with Planet Funk performing. From February 8-15, the Music Cruise will visit Barcelona, Marseille, and Rome, offering events like 'Waves of Music', fireworks, and Radio Deejay's 'Deejay Time'. Gigi D’Agostino will perform on February 14. The company promotes Sea & Land Destinations cruises and a special 'Free Drinks' offer until March 3. Costa Crociere sponsors the digital edition of TTG Today, available from February 10.

🏅 Milan's Mayor Beppe Sala highlighted the inclusive nature of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, mentioning that 57% of tickets would cost under 100 euros. The sports facilities, including the Cortina bobsled track, are on schedule to be completed in time for the event. However, accommodation remains expensive, with a day in Cortina during the women's downhill event estimated to cost at least 1,500 euros, Livigno 900 euros, and Anterselva 400 euros. Transportation and road infrastructure, like the new tunnels on State Road 48 of the Dolomites, are central concerns for the games.

🏫 Inaugurated at Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome, the exhibition “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” celebrates the Peace Jubilee, attended by Jordan's Tourism and Antiquities Minister Lina Annab and organized with the Holy See. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's 1964 visit to Jordan and 30 years of diplomatic relations, it highlights the country's Christian heritage. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat expects 30 million visitors by 2025, supported by 11 weekly flights from Italy by Ryanair and Royal Jordanian, rebounding from 115,000 Italian visitors in 2023.