Conferenze e Fiere

🏆 In 2023, celebrating Johann Strauss' 200th birth anniversary, GoTo Fly, F.A. - Forlì Airport's marketing carrier, and Austriavacanze, a custom travel tour operator, partnered to promote Vienna as a travel destination. Paolo Amodeo, COO of GoTo Fly, views Vienna not just as an end-point but as a gateway to explore Europe, highlighting the city's convenient location and its status as a major airport hub with fast connections to Asia and the Far East. Laura Corbetta, Austria Vacanze's product & contract manager, ensures quality experiences and continuous support for travelers from Forlì, with upcoming travel package presentations in Emilia-Romagna.

🏖 LEGO introduces a new collectible set: the Trevi Fountain, featuring 1,880 pieces. Marco Capone, general manager of LEGO Italy, highlights the set's celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and art. During the unveiling at the actual fountain, actor Edoardo Leo recited a poem at sunset, and Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri emphasized Rome's global significance. Alessandro Onorato, Tourism Councilor, appreciates the collaboration for showcasing Rome, and mentions LEGO's donation of 200 sets to the city's family homes, distributed by Acli.

🎁 Abu Dhabi launched its new campaign 'Make Abu Dhabi Your Easter Surprise' at the ITB Berlin, targeting European markets including Italy for Easter or spring getaways. The unprecedented promotional campaign combines marketing and gamification, featuring 'Easter eggs' in digital ads that offer a chance to win a group trip for 4 to Abu Dhabi.

💰 Cassa Depositi e Prestiti presented a strategic plan for 2025-2027 to the Conference of Regions, featuring a €1.5 billion investment to support local administrations, regions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling with credit access. SMEs' share of Italy's GDP decreased from 50% in 2014 to 29% last year. The funds aim to finance Italian business growth and larger projects like high-speed rail networks, port development, and reducing potable water waste. Massimiliano Fedriga highlighted the potential for boosting tourism infrastructure through public-private collaboration.

🏖 Malta saw a tourist growth of +11.6% in 2024, with 3,337,695 Italian tourist presences and a spending of €394,599,000. In 2025, 6 airlines will connect Malta from 22 Italian airports, suggesting further tourism growth. Ester Tamasi from Malta Tourism Authority Italy focuses on diversifying destinations and promoting emerging local economies. The island is also targeting religious tourism for the jubilee year. Crucial efforts include trade relationships, travel agency networks, and tourism player conventions, alongside education and co-marketing opportunities. The language education sector thrives, notably with adult language schools and Business English courses, providing high-quality, tailored services for luxurious educational vacations.

🏖️ Club Med is hiring 480 staff for spring-summer 2025, including 250 positions in Italy, to enhance its teams for the Exclusive Collection and other categories. Recruiting sessions are scheduled in Milan on April 9 and online on April 3, following a February 28 Job Summit in Rome. The company seeks professionals in Hospitality, Cuisine & Catering, Support & Sales, Childcare, Wellness, Sports, and Art & Entertainment, emphasizing soft skills for luxury service roles.

📷 ScuolaZoo offers 'Offline Days' for Gen Z in May and June to disconnect for four days in Tuscany's nature. Available from May 1-4 for adults and June 12-15 for ages 16+, activities include sports, hiking, and group activities like beach volleyball and canoeing. Photos will be captured with analog cameras, not smartphones. Gioele Pollino, project lead, emphasizes the experience over digital connectivity, aiming to encourage voluntary disconnection rather than enforcing rules.

🏖 The 'HighWellness-South Italy' project, led by the Calabria Region, will be officially presented at the 2025 Itb Berlin. Funded by Italy's Ministry of Tourism, it aims to create a network platform for mountain tourism operators in Southern Italy, promoting strategic synergies and an integrated management model. This initiative seeks to enhance the cultural, artistic, natural, and gastronomic heritage of the mountain areas, while also focusing on environmental protection and revitalizing at-risk villages. National Parks of Sila, Pollino, Aspromonte, and the Regional Park of Serre are participating.

🍺 RistorExpo 2025 opened on March 2 at Lariofiere in Erba, running until March 5, featuring over 200 exhibitors and more than 500 brands. The event's theme, "Let's Start with the Smells," highlights the importance of olfaction. Chef Davide Scabin received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Key events include Focus Pizza, tributes to Michelin-starred local restaurants, a Masterschool, the "Scent of Cocktail" contest, and the ABI Professional Interregional Competition. Wine events and local gastronomy are spotlighted, with attention to young talent through the RistorExpo Young Cup involving approximately 200 students.

🎂 Italians are set to spend nearly €220 million on traditional Carnival sweets like frappe, chiacchiere, and struffoli. Coldiretti estimated the economic impact on the food sector, highlighting the success of Campagna Amica's farmers' markets with cooking shows and tastings. Average prices for these treats are around €20 per kilo, reaching €50-60 for some specialties, prompting 37% of families to bake at home. Carnival's sweet tradition dates back to ancient Rome's "frictilia".