Distribuzione e Revenue

✈️ Sichuan Airlines will commence a new direct route from Chengdu to Madrid on April 27, with four flights per week, using Airbus A330 with 305 seats. China’s Capital Airlines adds a fourth weekly frequency to Madrid-Hangzhou summer flights from June 22 to August 24, making Madrid's Barajas Airport a key hub with eight Chinese destinations and 30 weekly flights by six airlines. Other operators, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines, may also target Madrid post-pandemic, while Barcelona-El Prat maintains its connectivity without new routes.

🏧 Following the reduction of the minimum spending threshold for Tax Free Shopping from €154.95 to €70.01 by the Italian Ministry of Tourism and Minister Santanchè, Tax Free transactions surged by +44% from February 2024 to January 2025. Spending volumes increased by +5% and over 500,000 new shoppers, mainly from the USA (18%), Latin America (12%), Switzerland (9%), and Turkey (7%), were attracted. The lower threshold led to a spending contribution from major cities (Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice) falling to 52%, down 25 percentage points, while spending in less frequented destinations rose from 11% to 27%. Notable increases were seen in locations such as Catania (+73%), Como (+69%), and Amalfi (+65%). Transactions for local retail and small crafts surged by +56%, and spending volumes by +12%, with the leather goods and bags sector seeing +56% in transactions and +17% in spending.

🗽 In 2024, 50 nationalities, including over 20% under 25, traversed Italy's main religious route, the Via Francigena, for spiritual and cultural experiences. Departures spread throughout the year, with April favored (26%). The Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, supports the sector with funds and agreements. 87% walked, while cyclists decreased to 13%. There's a slight male majority (51.4%). Italians are the largest group (70.7%), followed by France, the USA, the UK, and the Netherlands.

🎃 Carnevale tourism in Italy, from February 28 to March 4, generates over €450 million. Key locations include Venice, Viareggio, Fano, Ivrea, Putignano, Cento, Acireale, Sappada, Sciacca, and Mamoiada, impacting not just the event towns but their entire districts. Venice tops the economic movement chart, followed by Viareggio and then Ivrea (famous for the 'Battle of the Oranges') and Fano in third place. Foreign tourists significantly contribute to the Carnevale economy. For more details: [CNA Italy](https://www.cna.it/).

🏖 Nel 2024, il turismo internazionale ha eguagliato i livelli del 2019, con un incremento annuale del 13%. L'Asia, l'Europa e l'America Latina hanno visto aumenti rispettivamente del 9%, mentre il Nord America del 7%. La Spagna rimane la destinazione più popolare, seguita dagli USA. Il business travel, soprattutto il segmento Mice, comprende due terzi del mercato dei viaggi d'affari. Nonostante l'aumento dei costi, la tendenza al viaggio permane, con previsioni di crescita anche per il 2025.

🎡 Spagna highlights the Basque Countries for the 130th anniversary of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s birth. Madrid and Donostia-San Sebastián feature in a new trend in Spanish tourism from Barcelona to Getaria. 2025 expects a record 100 million arrivals, aiming to surpass last year’s tourist spending of over €122 billion, a 16% increase from 2023, reducing overtourism. Blanca Pérez-Sauquillo, director of Turespaña in Italy, targets high-end tourists. Hotel room cost up to €120, tourism GDP could grow by 3.6%, totaling 13.5% of national GDP.

💰 Amadeus closed 2024 with a 19.6% increase in net profit to €1.258 billion and a 12.9% rise in revenue to €6.141 billion. EBITDA grew by 13.2% to €2.335 billion, while operating profit jumped 18.2% to €1.635 billion. Air distribution revenue increased by 10.9% to €2.946 billion, while technology solutions for the aviation sector rose by 15.8% to €2.205 billion. Hotel and other solutions grew by 12.3% to €991.3 million. A new share buyback program worth up to €1.3 billion was announced, to be implemented over the next 12 months, as CEO Luis Maroto anticipates further growth in 2025.

🏠 In Milan, short-term rentals have seen a 10% decrease in availability, with one out of ten listings disappearing from the market in a year. As of late 2024, there were 22,627 short-term accommodations, down from 24,936 in 2023, including a 9.3% drop of full apartments (2,309 fewer). Despite this, average nightly prices rose from €164 to €174, and annual average earnings increased by €1,546, from €7,626 to €9,172. Additionally, one out of three apartments remains vacant throughout the year.

🏨 Many hotels and airlines adopt the strategy of overbooking, selling more rooms or seats than available. This practice is designed to compensate for expected no-shows and cancellations to maximize occupancy and revenue.

🏨 Google's project Gemini aims to create a "universal AI agent" by 2025, which could independently plan, search, and book vacations, potentially bypassing Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). Experts like Mario Gavira suggest such AI agents may directly interact with hotel websites, reducing complexity and eliminating intermediaries. However, OTAs, investing heavily in AI, could benefit and dominate this new landscape. Hotels are advised to optimize content for AI search, integrate technology with systems like CRS, PMS, and Channel Managers, and invest in customized AI solutions for data analysis and real-time offer optimization. AI as an ally can improve efficiency and personalize guest experiences without replacing human interaction. Hotels must be discoverable by AI agents, adapt quickly, and invest in the right technologies to succeed in the hospitality industry's new era.