Distribuzione e Revenue

💸 Business travel is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, achieving a record $1.5 trillion, with a 6.2% growth over 2019. Leisure travel was down by 2.9% from 2019, while business travel was at -5.4% last year. In the US, business travel spending is projected to hit $472 billion, 13.4% above the 2019 record. China's business travel spending is anticipated to grow by 13.1% to nearly $211 billion. Germany nearly matches its 2019 peak with an estimated $87.5 billion, while the UK and France are expected to reach historic highs with $84.1 billion and $42.1 billion, respectively. These increases align with the global recovery of economies post-pandemic and the growth of bleisure travel, combining business trips with personal vacations.

🥃 The International White Truffle Fair in Alba featured "Le Terre del Balsamico," a collaboration between the Consorzio Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena and the Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena, showcasing Modena's balsamic vinegar excellences. Chef Fulvio Siccardi presented two recipes combining White Truffle of Alba with Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP and DOP. Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP exports 92% of its 90 million liter annual production to over 130 countries. Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP, with a limited production of 15,000 liters, exports 70%, reaching $1,000 per liter in value, and in 2023, 145,000 bottles were produced, including 100,000 aged 12 years and 45,000 Extra Vecchio aged 25 years.

🏖️ Nel 2023, il turismo in Europa ha visto 1,14 miliardi di viaggi con pernottamento, un incremento del +5,7% (+61,6 milioni) rispetto all'anno precedente. Di questi, il 90% (1.029 milioni) erano per motivi personali, aumentati del 5,4%, e il 10% (110 milioni) per lavoro, in crescita del 9,3%. Il 73% dei viaggi è stato nazionale e la spesa media a notte per persona è stata di 97,6€, con una spesa turistica totale di 553 miliardi di euro (+16,5%). Luxemburghesi, austriaci e irlandesi hanno speso di più per notte, rispettivamente 183€, 161€ e 143€.

✈ Italian airports experienced an unprecedented August in air traffic, surpassing 2019 figures by more than 15 percentage points. Assaeroporti reports a total of 23.5 million passengers in the month, a 10.9% increase from the previous year. Rome Fiumicino led the growth with a 21.4% increase, serving 5.1 million passengers. By August 2024, passenger traffic approached 150 million, with 33 million at Rome Fiumicino and 19 million at Milan Malpensa, accounting for over 33% of national traffic.

🚢 Corsica Sardinia Ferries offers incentives for advance booking for 2025 to Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearics. Promotions include installment payments in 2, 3, or 4 installments for tickets over 200 euros with credit card possession. The FLEX rate option allows ticket modification without penalties and up to 90% refundable.

💰 Italian tour operators report positive 2024 results, with Kel 12 CEO Gianluca Rubino announcing a revenue surge to €30 million, a 25% increase, and a 10% rise in passenger numbers compared to €25 million in 2023, maintaining a profit margin of about 5%. Quality Group hints at easing challenges, noting early signs of price realignment. Idee per Viaggiare projects a 20% production increase over 2023, exceeding budget goals. Mappamondo CEO Andrea Mele voices concerns over high prices impacting client acquisition but reports a satisfactory 5-7% revenue increase despite a 2-3% drop in passengers.

💍 CartOrange, a honeymoon travel company, reported a 16% increase in turnover before the financial year closed on August 31. A survey of 2,000 clients revealed that 22% of honeymooners are over 50, and 0.5% are over 70. Couples now often travel with children or extended family, reflecting later marriages and second weddings. Furthermore, 33% of honeymoon trips no longer include a beach stay, with itinerant and experiential trips taking the lead.

🏦 In Italy, luxury serviced apartments offer potential for growth and attract international investors. Deloitte's Benedetto Puglisi highlighted the sector's appeal to high spenders, confirming Italy leads Europe with a 21% market share in hotel structures. In 2023 alone, the country saw €1.6 billion invested in hospitality, nearly 45% targeting luxury. Italy ranks fifth in Europe's serviced apartment sector, generating over €2.4 billion annually. The luxury segment is dynamic, with 30 new establishments yearly since 2017, totaling 710 five-star hotels and 47,300 rooms.

💸 From July to September 2024, direct bookings saw a 6% increase over Q3 2023, with revenue from those bookings up by 5%; ADR remained stable. The United States remained the top country of origin, followed by domestic and key European markets (Germany, UK, France), with American bookings made 87 days in advance on average, down from 94 days. Advertising traffic grew by 25% from 2023, with Digital Advertising revenue up 26%, representing 36% of total direct sales. Online advertising ROI was consistent at 8x, reaching 13x when including offline contacts. Google Ads dominated with a 53% sales distribution share, Price Advertising (Metasearch) at 36%, and Bing Microsoft Ads at 6%.

🌍 Space Hotels, under new president Beniamino Tomasoni, reports a 22.5% revenue increase from January to August 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The company, founded in 1974, celebrates its 50th year with 45 hotels in key Italian destinations. Main markets include the US, Germany, France, Spain, and a returning Australian clientele. Popular locations are Rome, Milan, and Turin. Space Hotels will be present at World Travel Market in London from November 5-7.