Conferenze e Fiere

🏗️ The 44th edition of Wtm in London is set to welcome over 40,000 businesses for a trade volume estimated at over £200 million (€240 million). A record-breaking number of exhibitors, up 7% from the previous year, will gather, including over 4,000 entities ranging from hotel chains to tech brands. Deals expected to be signed during the event amount to over £2.2 billion. 40% of visitors plan to stay three days, and a third for a week, in London.

🏆 Royal Air Maroc targets to become a travel hub for three continents by 2030, tying with Morocco hosting the Soccer World Cup. Foreseeing a passenger growth of 5-7% in Italy and a load factor of 76%, they're improving on a record 2023 year. Casablanca, with 30 West African destinations, is pivotal, and a new Casablanca-São Paulo route in December will bridge Latin America. Celebrating 50 years in 2025, the airline will receive 10-15 new planes, part of a 200-aircraft order by 2035.

❄ Universal Air, a Maltese carrier, confirms its winter schedule starting this weekend, maintaining flights to destinations in the European Mediterranean and North Africa, including three weekly flights from Valletta to Palermo. CEO Simon Cook expresses enthusiasm for continuing these popular routes. However, services to Salerno, Corfu, and Ibiza are suspended until the next summer season.

🏡 InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace won multiple awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2024 in Belfast, recognized by votes from over 300,000 global travelers. Opened in 2023, the hotel earned 'Best Luxury New Hotel' and 'Best Luxury City Hotel'. The on-site Scarpetta NYC, led by executive chef Riccardo Ioanna, received 'Best Italian Cuisine', 'Best Contemporary Cuisine', and 'Best Unique Experience'. Awards were accepted by Ioanna and Commercial director Paolo Muzzeddu.

✈ Norse Atlantic will connect Rome Fiumicino with Los Angeles starting on May 22, 2025. This new route, active until the end of the summer season, joins the existing Rome-New York connection and will operate with a Boeing 787-900. Rome airport becomes Norse's fourth hub from LAX after Paris, London Gatwick, and Oslo.

🏕️ Fred Dixon, CEO of Brand USA, highlighted the European market's importance for U.S. tourism during the Brand USA Travel Week Uk & Europe 2024 in London. In 2019, travel arrivals from Europe nearly reached 16 million, with the sector seeing recovery. The introduction of 64 new air routes from European airports evidences growing connectivity. Dixon noted nearly half of European travelers to the U.S. aim to visit 2-3 cities, with an additional 20% exploring 4 or more. Travel motivation includes exploring new areas (43%) and revisiting past experiences (39%). Top U.S. travel activities are visiting state and national parks, shopping, cultural attractions, film and TV locations, and culinary experiences. Sports, especially NBA basketball and NFL football, are gaining popularity with 44% and 36% interest, respectively. Future high-profile events like the 2026 Fifa World Cup and the 2028 Olympics are expected to maintain high interest.

🇲🇽 Mexico Maravilloso, announced at TTG Travel Experience, aims to showcase Mexican wonders and excellence. Supported by Nayarit state and promoted by the Mexico's Chamber of Commerce and Consulate General in Italy, it includes seminars, cultural events, food experiences, workshops, and fam trips for trade professionals and press. Consul General María de los Angeles Arriola Aguirre emphasized Mexico's rich culture, paralleling Italy's historic and gastronomic heritage, while highlighting artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

🏤 Trenitalia and Ita Airways announce a status match program for their loyalty members, allowing CartaFreccia and Volare members to request a corresponding status within the next two weeks. The recognized status will be valid until December 31, 2025. This follows a previous offer launched in July, enabling point transfers between programs, as part of a strategic partnership involving Trenitalia, Ita Airways, and Aeroporti di Roma for integrated train-air intermodality. Marketing director of Trenitalia and CEO of Italia Loyalty, Mario Alovisi, and CEO of Volare and CCO of Ita Airways, Emiliana Limosani, confirm the continued collaboration.

✈ SAS plans to launch a direct route from Copenhagen to Nuuk, Greenland in summer 2025, coinciding with the opening of Nuuk's international airport by year's end. Marking SAS's return to Greenland after over two decades, this service, in partnership with Air Greenland, will enhance connections through the SkyTeam alliance. The route is a response to growing demand for unique travel experiences and positions Copenhagen as a key Scandinavian hub.

🇨🇺 Cuba Latin Travel reassures travelers that Cuba has returned to normalcy after a general blackout and a hurricane in the eastern part of the island, ready to safely welcome tourists. The electrical power has been restored gradually across provinces, with main tourist destinations and hotels unaffected due to generators. Two hotels in Varadero experienced temporary issues, quickly resolved by relocating guests. The hurricane impacted only remote areas like Baracoa, while tourist zones like Holguín and Varadero faced strong winds and storms without direct hits. Cuba Latin Travel emphasizes traveler safety and prompt incident management.