Conferenze e Fiere

🇳🇿 African Explorer introduced Tunisia as a new destination for its 2025 program, joining other Mediterranean African countries like Egypt, Morocco, and proprietor Alessandro Simonetti is optimistic about the region's growth potential. Exclusive departures for Christmas and New Year are planned for Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Morocco, and Madagascar, focusing on safari, sea relaxation, and responsible tourism favored by Millennials and Gen Z customers. Additionally, the World Explorer brand is expanding with increased demand for Asian destinations, particularly Japan.

🐧 Maria Teresa Omedè, product manager of Le Vie del Nord, confirmed their participation at TTG Travel Experience in Rimini, celebrating ten years of the company. The event will showcase product innovations for the 2025 season, including exclusive departures. Emphasis on Northern Europe due to expected exceptional visibility of the Northern Lights in 2024/25, as predicted by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Destinations include Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and central Alaska, along with classic trips like New Year's in European capitals and adventures in the Near East and the USA. Le Vie del Nord introduces Rivea, a blue Puffin mascot, represented by a plush toy at the event, symbolizing their decade of guiding Italians through Northern Europe explorations.

🐅 Uber introduces limited edition travel service "Go Anywhere," available exclusively on the Uber app from October 2 to February 1, offering one-day trips for those in Cape Town to explore the Big Five at Aquila Private Game Reserve. The service, termed Uber Safari, leverages Reserve technology for an epic South African travel experience, as explained by Frans Hiemstra, Uber's regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa.

🚀 Milan Bergamo Airport's runway closed after Ryanair flight FR 846 from Barcelona El Prat, with 161 passengers, suffered a tire burst on its rear landing gear upon landing. No injuries reported. Runway reopening not before 8 PM, following aircraft removal and asphalt restoration. Flights delayed, diverted, or canceled due to the incident.

🎥 "Glamour Nights" by Costa Crociere consists of 12 evening events, starting on September 24 in Turin, and will continue until the end of October, visiting cities like Milan, Brescia, Padova, Cagliari, Florence, Bari, Bologna, Rome, Palermo, Naples, and Catania. The series aims to engage with over a thousand travel agents across Italy, discussing the cruise company's results, news, and goals, as stated by Riccardo Fantoni, the Commercial Director for Italy.

🎵 In Valle d'Aosta, summer showed a dual nature with June and July seeing a decline in Italian tourists, attributed to unfavorable weather, while August marked a turnaround. Italian arrivals in August increased by 8.22% (144,366) and stays by 5.65% (576,008). Foreign tourists also rose by 16.76% (98,697 arrivals) and 17.47% in overnight stays (196,507). The region looks forward to winter sports events including the World Cup of Alpine Skiing at La Thuile and the Snowboardcross World Cup at Cervinia. Additionally, the MTB World Cup will take place in La Thuile for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons, as highlighted by Tourism, Sport, and Commerce Councilor Giulio Grosjacques. Valle d'Aosta will present at the TTG Travel Experience in Rimini from October 9-11.

✈️ Brussels' Zaventem Airport faces a potential complete shutdown on Tuesday, October 1st, due to a strike, impacting 50,000 people. Airlines have preemptively canceled all flights for the day in anticipation of the halted operations. The strike, concerning poor working conditions and employee services, could extend to other European airports as the issues are not exclusive to Brussels.

✈ Icelandair launches a direct flight between Reykjavik and Nashville starting May 16, 2025. The service will be available on a B737-800 MAX, seating 16 Saga Premium and 144 economy passengers, approximately 7 hours flight time, four times a week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Doug Kreulen and Deana Ivey highlight the route's enhancement of international connectivity and travel opportunities to Europe.

✈️ Ita Airways' lounge at Milan Linate will undergo complete refurbishment, expanding from 480 to 562 square meters to handle 400 daily entries and accommodate 140 guests simultaneously. Accessible to business class, top-tier frequent flyers, and partner airlines, the updated lounge is set to open in summer 2025 and will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Andrea Benassi, General Director of Ita Airways, announced the development, highlighting the strategic importance of the international market.

🗽 Rome's average tourist stay increased from 1.9 nights to 4 over three years under Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who also mentioned an 8% economic growth through cultural events. With the upcoming Holy Door opening in 3 months, Rome faces challenges with 1,000 ongoing constructions, aiming to close 300 by December, some extending beyond the Jubilee period. Additionally, Rome is developing a world-first AI-powered virtual assistant to aid tourists against the repetitive suggestions of social and digital channels contributing to overtourism.