Conferenze e Fiere

🏠 Croatia targets the Central-Southern market, with Viviana Vukelic, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Italy, aiming to attract year-round tourists and promote organized tourism. Key upcoming flight connections in 2025 include Croatia Airlines' Milan Malpensa to Zagreb from July 2, Ryanair's Palermo-Zagreb from March 30, Bari-Zadar from May 2, and Rome Fiumicino-Zadar from May 3, along with easyJet's Milan Linate-Split from June 23. The strategy focuses on a premium target market and sustainable travel, with positive summer prospects noted in Naples.

🏦 Mia Hezi, president of Visit Usa Italia, commented on the first edition of the Forum Visita Usa, a spin-off of the Showcase Usa, in Turin. The event facilitated one-to-one meetings with members like Alidays, America World, Condor, and others, and featured presentations from six U.S. destinations, including New York City Tourism + Conventions and Visit California, plus the airline Condor, aiming to strengthen collaboration and promote U.S. tourism in the Italian market.

🏕️ ASTOI Confindustria Viaggi will participate in the BMT (Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo) from March 13-15, 2025, in Naples at Mostra D’Oltremare with a Villaggio ASTOI format. The event features Tour Operators like Alidays, Alpitour, Costa Crociere, and others. ASTOI partnered with Progecta Srl to offer travel agents an attendance package including Frecciarossa train travel, transfers, fair entry, meals, and accommodation options for March 13 or 14. A 5/7% increase in travel bookings is expected for 2025, with the summer season being pivotal. BMT is seen as a strategic event for industry networking and reinforcing organized tourism.

🏠 The Jubilee Year 2025 in Rome is expected to draw 35 million visitors, with an anticipated economic impact of 30 billion euros, of which 10 billion euros are projected for Rome alone. Vacation rental hosts have an opportunity to maximize earnings by preparing for the increased demand, optimizing listings for visibility, adjusting prices strategically, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and using Chekin to automate guest management. Chekin provides features such as remote check-ins, automatic tax calculation, guest registration with authorities, and secure online payments. Hosts are encouraged to begin preparations now to capitalize on this historic event.

💰 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.

🏝 Over 1 million tourists expected in Naples at the beginning of spring, as per Osservatorio del turismo del Comune led by Teresa Amato. Bookings already made for the period from April 20 (Easter Sunday) to May 4, encompassing three holidays in less than two weeks. 260,000 tourists booked for 5 nights from April 20 to April 25 (Liberation Day), with another 160,000 reservations for three nights starting April 20. For the April 25 holiday falling on Friday, 155,000 three-night bookings exist. From April 30 to May 4, 220,000 visitors have reserved, and from May 1 to May 4, there are 160,000 bookings. To accommodate the surge, 15 street Tutors and 5 mobile Infopoints are being deployed.

✈ On March 10, Ver.di union called for a 24-hour strike affecting staff at 11 German airports including Berlin-Brandeburgo, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hannover, Bremen, Hamburg, and Leipzig-Halle. The strike is expected to disrupt about half a million passengers and approximately a thousand domestic and international flights.

🎁 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.

✈ Croatia Airlines launches a new route from Milan Malpensa to Zagreb with three weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday using the new Airbus A220. This direct flight will operate from July 2 to October 24, aiming to boost visits to the country, offering an excellent introductory fare. Croatia boasts nine international airports, connecting to major European cities, particularly in the summer season.