Distribuzione e Revenue

🏖️ Lombardia reports a 7.5% increase in summer tourist stays. Barbara Mazzali, regional councilor, highlights a strong start to 2024 with a prolonged winter season and high numbers during Easter. Lombardia attracts national and international tourists, with 17% more presences in 2023 compared to 2019. The first half of 2024 saw approximately 23.8 million overnight stays, up 11.5% from the previous year; foreign visitors made up about 65% of guests, with 85% in provinces like Como.

📍 In 2024, travel company Naar projects a double-digit revenue growth over 2023, with long-haul trips to Japan, Indocina, the US, Polynesia, Peru, Colombia, Canada, and Fiji driving numbers. General Manager Luca Battifora and CEO Frederic Naar highlight the success of the Bespoke project in Europe, offering unique itineraries. With a strong belief in B2B, Naar aims for a €73-74 million turnover, up 11-12%, focusing on the Italian market. Additionally, a shift in demand from Central and Southern Italy suggests a rise in bookings for traditionally unrequested long-haul destinations, like Southern Africa.

💸 Klm Group, mid-2024, records a loss of €31 million, with higher revenues of €6 billion compared to €5.6 billion in the first six months of 2023. This loss is attributed to increased costs, despite a higher passenger total of 16 million from January to June 2024. In contrast, the first half of 2023 saw a profit of €129 million. Subsidiary Transavia also reports higher revenue, hosting 4.5 million guests. Measures to improve financial performance and control costs are planned post-summer.

✈ Southwest Airlines, after a distinctive 50+ year policy of open seating, will introduce an extra fee for seat selection next year, along with extra legroom seats and overnight flights, expecting to generate over $1 billion in additional annual revenue and attract more corporate clients. The new strategy details will be revealed in September. Analyst Savanthi Syth estimates that assigned seating could bring in $500 million to $1.5 billion per year, while legroom choices could add another $500-800 million annually. However, reconfiguring around 446 Boeing 737-800 and 737 Max 8 planes for 30 extra legroom seats could take up to 3 years.

🏨 In Rimini, over 160 hotels are listed for sale, reported by Resto del Carlino. The properties range from small, outdated hotels to multiple-star hotels in Marina Centro, with prices between 3 and 5 million euros. Patrizia Rinaldis, president of Federalberghi Rimini, views the market movement as a positive sign of investment in tourism.

💸 Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary reports a possible 10% decrease in summer fares compared to the previous year after a 15% drop in fares during April-June quarter, nearly halving the profits. Despite consumer spending challenges, travel demand persists but with a preference for cheaper seats. As of the interview, 95% of July seats, 74% of August, 40% of September, less than 20% of October, less than 10% of November, and less than 5% of December are sold. Ryanair can endure lower profit margins due to its size and low operational costs.

🇯🇲 Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has proposed a growth strategy for the travel industry focusing on diversifying demand, targeting visitors from the Middle East and Latin America, and reducing reliance on traditional markets. Enhancements in both digital and offline marketing, along with collaborations with airlines to improve connections and explore new routes, are pivotal to the strategy. This approach aims to fortify the sector amid global economic uncertainties and air transport challenges.

💰 Switzerland tops the list of the world's most expensive countries with a score of 75, followed by Singapore (72), Hong Kong (65), Iceland (63), Bahamas (62), and the USA (56). Italy ranks 30th with a moderate price level (38), aligned with Malta (39), while Spain (32) and Greece (34), similar to Portugal (33), are among the more affordable countries for living and vacationing. Over half of the pricey destinations listed are in Europe, including Denmark, Netherlands, France, and Germany, alongside the high positions of the UAE and New Zealand.

📈 In June, according to ISTAT, while general service prices fell, hotel and train ticket prices dropped but remained above the 0.8% inflation rate, increasing by 3.4% monthly. Airfares plummeted year-on-year by 10.9%, but rose by 10.6% since May due to seasonal factors. Maritime transport decreased by -5.1% from May, train ticket prices surged from an annual 8.1% to 9.3%, with a 0.2% monthly rise. Codacons reports travel and tourism sectors seeing sharp increases: vacation packages up 20.5% annually, hotel rates by 5.1%, holiday villages and campsites by 6%, other accommodation services by 7.2%. Train travel costs 9.3% more, bus fares increased by 3.9%, with national flights up by 25.2% within a month, and international flights by 13.3%. Parking fees rose by 2.3%, tolls by 1.9%, amusement parks by 4.5%, museums and monuments by 2.3%, and restaurant prices by 3.5%.

🇺🇸 American tourists lead tourism flows in Southern Europe, particularly in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. At Taylor Swift's Milan concert, 14% of attendees were American. Spain's American tourist numbers grew by 14.6% and Portugal's by 34.2% within a year. Greece saw almost a 30% increase. The European Travel Commission (ETC) predicts international tourists will spend €800 billion in Europe, up 37% from pre-pandemic levels. Marina Lalli of Federturismo expects 1.5 million more tourists this summer, highlighting Americans as the driving force. Americans also spend the most, averaging €184.7 per night in 2023, up from €126.2 in 2021, and stay for 10.6 nights on average. American traveler numbers increased by 39.5% from 2.9 million in 2022 to 4.1 million last year. According to the Bank of Italy, one in ten airport arrivals in May was a US citizen. Favorable exchange rates and new VAT refund regulations for non-EU travelers have contributed to this trend, with American tourists now more inclined towards individual travel, increasing per capita spending. Airfares from the US to Rome, Barcelona, Athens, and Paris are down by 34%, 37%, 28%, and 38% respectively this summer, according to Hay