Distribuzione e Revenue

🏖️ Tunisia closed the year with $2.3 billion in tourism revenue, a 7.8% increase compared to the previous year. In 2024, international tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million, with arrivals from Italy increasing by over 20%. To sustain growth, Tunisia is investing in infrastructure development, promoting cultural tourism, and diversifying its tourism offerings, focusing on adventure, wellness, and ecotourism. The new international institutional advertising campaign, 'Vivi l’istanTe, vivi la Tunisia,' will launch next spring.

🏖️ After four years, the tourism industry has regained pre-pandemic levels, with over 1.4 billion tourists marking a 99% recovery compared to pre-Covid times and an 11% increase from 2023. The Middle East, Europe, and Africa saw rises of 32%, 1%, and 7% respectively, while the Americas reached 97%. UN Tourism predicts a 3-5% increase in international tourism for 2025, with challenges including high travel costs and fuel price fluctuations.

✈️ London's airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton, might see expansion, with potential additions of a third runway at Heathrow, a second at Gatwick, and increased capacity at Luton. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves supports the growth, aiming to boost the economy and business investment. Gatwick plans to expand capacity to 75 million passengers yearly, surpassing its pre-COVID record of 47 million. Decisions on Gatwick's expansion are due by February 27, while a new terminal for Luton will be deliberated on April 3.

🏖️ Vienna achieved a record tourism year in 2024 with 18.9 million overnight stays, a 9% increase from the previous year, surpassing 2019 figures. Revenue soared by 25% over total bed capacity. By November, accommodation revenue hit €1.2 billion, marking a 12% rise compared to January to November 2023. Leading visitors came from Germany, followed by domestic tourists, the US, and Italy ranked fourth. Chinese and Japanese markets have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

🧑💻 President Trump, recently inaugurated for a second term, launched the 'Stargate' AI project involving tech giants Softbank, Oracle, and OpenAI. The joint venture starts with $100 billion, scaling to $500 billion within four years, aiming to secure global AI leadership for the United States.

🏡 In Naples' historic center, rental prices surged by 8.1%, with a 2.6% annual increase in sales prices. Approximately 11,000 apartments are listed for rent, catering to tourists on platforms like Airbnb or Booking. Naples has experienced protests against overtourism, with locals being evicted or forced out by high rents to accommodate B&Bs and tourist accommodations. Short-term rentals constitute 32% of Naples' housing market, 6% above the national average.

🌩 Circa 230 voli cancellati all'aeroporto di Dublino a causa della tempesta Eowyn, interessando l'Irlanda e raggiungendo la Scozia. Raffiche di vento fino a 183 km/h hanno portato all'allerta rossa e alla raccomandazione di verificare lo stato dei voli prima di recarsi in aeroporto.

🏆 Wizz Air set a record in 2024 by transporting nearly 63 million passengers on over 300,000 flights, the highest annual passenger traffic for the airline. In Italy, the carrier flew over 18 million passengers, a 15% increase from the previous year, with more than 90,000 flights. Last year, Wizz Air launched almost 100 new routes and added 34 new aircraft to its fleet, which grew by 15%. For 2025 and early 2026, the airline expects 50 new Airbus A321neo and A321XLRs. Tamara Nikiforova, Wizz Air's corporate communication manager, credits the 20th anniversary success to operational improvements and customer experience investments, including a new Training Center in Rome and plans for further growth in Italy in 2025.

📦 Barbarhouse, founded in 2007 in a small town in Puglia, Italy, has seen a yearly revenue growth of 20% until the COVID period, which significantly boosted demand for their private villas. The company now exclusively manages 1,500 properties across Italy and partners with local operators for around 2,000 more. In 2021, sold nights increased by 73%, followed by a 27% rise in 2022, and a 13% growth in 2023, despite industry stagnation. The year 2024 concluded with a 14% increase in sold nights. Barbarhouse targets 50% of operations through its multilingual reservation center, 45% via OTAs, and aims to involve small travel agencies more by offering them a quality portfolio, with only 5% of current operations handled by travel agencies. They operate two brands: Barbarhouse and 'Perle di Puglia', the latter featuring around 300 luxury properties. The clientele is 65% Italian, with France, Germany, Australia, and the United States as significant international markets, and emerging interest from Eastern Europe.

🏛️ 10 finaliste cities for 'Capitale Italiana della Cultura 2027' announced, including Alberobello, Aliano, Brindisi, Gallipoli, La Spezia, Pompei, Pordenone, Reggio Calabria, Sant’Andrea di Conza, and Savona. Selection showcases a strong southern presence with three cities from Puglia and a maritime theme, complemented by three northern towns. Jury led by Davide Maria Desario picked finalists from 17 candidates. The winning city, to be declared by March 28, will receive a €1 million fund for cultural and innovative project initiatives as per the Ministry of Culture.