Conferenze e Fiere

🏨 Federalberghi Torino, led by president Fabio Borio, extends its services to regular tourism accommodation owners in Piedmont, aiming to assist them with compliance and enhance overall hospitality quality. Lavinia Fanari, a council member, highlights the win-win cooperative effort to unify voices and elevate tourist services.

🏁 Best Western Italia & Malta became the official partner of Giro d’Italia & Giro d’Italia Women, in their 108th edition. The Giro starts in Albania on May 9, ending in Rome on June 1, and the Women's event runs from July 6-13. BWH Hotels Italia & Malta, led by CEO Sara Digiesi, sees the partnership as an opportunity to enhance tourism, hospitality, and networking across Italy, leveraging the Giro's various stages to promote local excellence and increase visibility for their properties.

🚙 TGV Milan-Paris service, suspended in August 2023 due to a landslide in the Maurienne valley, resumes on March 31, announced by SNCF Voyages Italia's General Manager Caroline Chabrol. The direct connection will have three round trips daily, linking Milan to Paris in 7 hours and 7 minutes, and Turin to Paris in 5 hours and 39 minutes, also connecting Modane, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Chambéry, and Mâcon. Carta Avantage holders can get up to 30% off fares and 60% off for children aged 4-11. Milan to Oulx via Torino service is also enhanced to three round trips daily.

🎢 MSC Cruises launches a promotional campaign in the United States with a 60-second commercial featuring Hollywood stars Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom during the Big Game. The ad spotlights MSC World America, set to be christened in Miami on April 9, and will embark on weekly Caribbean cruises. The expansion into the U.S. market is a strategic move for MSC Cruises, as emphasized by Leonardo Massa, vice president Southern Europe, to solidify their position globally and cater to the high demand for quality travel experiences.

🇮🇹 Columbus Vacanze expands in 2025 to Africa, Japan, and India, driven by new experienced product managers. New offerings include tours in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Namibia; expanded Japanese tours with 'Modern and Classic Japan' and island itineraries; plus 12 Discovery tours in India, featuring Rajasthan. Columbus aims to be a reliable partner for travel agencies, not just a generalist operator.

🍦 Sigep World - The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence featuring Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP and gelato is set for January 18-22, 2025, in Rimini, Italy. Previously highlighted at the Sherbeth Festival and MIG in November, the 46th edition boasts 1,300 exhibitors from 33 countries, over 520 top buyers from 79 nations, and a European buyer program with 2,500+ registrations. The event includes a demo by master gelato maker Stefano Ferrara on January 22. Ferrara, who opened Pinguino Gelateria Naturale in 2007 and Gelato Lab, has earned several accolades, including the title of Best Chocolate of Italy in 2023.

🍪 The World Trophy of Pastry Gelato e Ice Cream by the Federazione Internazionale di Pasticceria, Gelateria e Cioccolateria (FIPGC) is set for November 6-7, 2025, in Rome at the Hotel Roma Aurelia Antica. This edition features teams of 3 creating two artistic pieces, with 12 countries participating. Judging will be split into Taste and Technical juries, with a special role played by Maestro Davide Malizia. FIPGC promotes Italian pastry worldwide, organizing national and world championships since 2015. Announced at Sigep in Rimini on January 18 by FIPGC President Matteo Cutolo.

☕ On January 20, during the Italian Barista Championship SCA Italy in collaboration with Sigep 2025, Andrea Villa won the "Coffee in Good Spirits" category for the third time (2020, 2024, 2025) and will represent Italy in the world championships in Geneva in June. Marco Poidomani and Luigi Cippone placed second and third respectively. Andrea Batacchi clinched the "Brewers Cup" championship and will compete in the world championships in Jakarta in May, followed by Gabriele Pezzaioli and Luana Lazzarone. Latte Art semifinalists are Stefano Cevenini, Michele Intravaia, Alessio Panero, and Marco Pezone. The Coffee Roasting contest concludes on the last day of the championships, with the final day's program on January 21 including the Ibrik final, Latte Art final, and Coffee Roasting competition at Coffee Arena, Pavilion D1. Official sponsors like Cimbali, Fiorenzato, San Marco, His Majesty King Coffee, Coffee Culture by NKG Bero Italia, and DM Italia TBD support the championship.

🏖️ Travel Before, based in Salerno, is set to promote the Amalfi Coast and Campania at Fitur 2025. CEO Giancarlo Vitolo aims to showcase the area's tourism offerings to a global audience and create new international collaborations. The focus is on personalized packages, cultural itineraries, and gastronomic experiences, targeting Spanish-speaking markets and leveraging the Jubilee for religious tourism, promoting sustainable and high-quality tourism in Italy.

🏖️ Star Clippers is set for summer in the Mediterranean and offers early booking for the Caribbean and Costa Rica for winter 2025-2026. The four-masted Star Clipper will depart from the new home port of Grenada in January 2026, with new 10 and 11-night itineraries including destinations like Charlottesville (Tobago), Castara Bay (Tobago), and others. The summer 2026 catalog features new Mediterranean stops in Italy's Marche, Puglia, and Calabria, plus new ports like Sebenico (Croatia) and in Greece. Long-haul bookings are growing, especially with early booking discounts of up to 20% for reservations made by April 30, 2025. Barbados will see 16 departures between December 2025 and March 2026.