Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🌊 Ávoris, a tourism group led by Simón Pedro Barceló, has entered a new market niche by purchasing a cruise ship to operate on the Nile, according to Preferente. Egypt closed 2024 with a record 15.7 million tourists, up from 15 million the previous year. Nile cruises are in high demand among international customers, facing stiff competition among operators. The newly acquired but not yet operational vessel will offer personalized services to Avoris clients booking through its tour operators.

🚢 Crescent Seas, founded by Russell Galbut, ex-president of Norwegian Cruise Line, reaches a deal with Regent Seven Seas Cruises for the use of Navigator from 2026 and with Oceania Cruises for Insignia from late 2027 after a $50 million restyling. Insignia will offer 290 residences. Ncl announces long-term leases with purchase options for both ships, similar to Navigator. Cordelia Cruises will lease Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun from 2026 and 2027, respectively. Emerald Cruises expands with two new superyachts, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara, with a 128-guest capacity each, built in Vietnam. Emerald Raiya debuts in Seychelles in winter 2026/27 and Emerald Xara in the Mediterranean in summer 2027.

💰 Sandals Resorts launched the Sandals Ambassador program to select a team of 15 travel agents as brand ambassadors by the end of April 2025. Benefits for the chosen agents include a fam trip to experience a Sandals Resort stay, exclusive agency materials, and access to dedicated digital content. Christian Casagrande, Sales Manager Southern Europe of Sandals Resorts International, highlighted the program as a way to reward agents and help them become experts in luxury Caribbean hospitality. Applications are open until the end of April 2025. Selected ambassadors will gain visibility in industry media and attend exclusive events.

✈ Ryanair's summer 2025 in Italy features new routes but is affected by the increased municipal additionals, which led to limited growth in Rome and Milan since April 1. The airline focuses on Calabria, Abruzzo, and Friuli Venezia Giulia, where the tax was abolished. Calabria will see 40 routes with 13 new ones, 1.8 million passengers, and support for 1,700 jobs. Ryanair's $400 million investment includes €15 million for two new hangars in Lamezia Terme, expected to create over 300 jobs by 2026. Trieste gets 21 routes with 3 new, Pescara 19 routes with 5 new. Further investments are planned for Trapani Airport after Sicily abolished the additional on small airports. Ryanair appeals for the abolition of the municipal additional on all Italian airports, promising a growth plan with 40 additional aircrafts, $4 billion investment, 20 million more passengers, 250 new routes, and support for 1,500+ Ryanair jobs in Italian regions.

🍷 By 2025, over 13 million wine tourists are expected, an increase of nearly 8.5% from the previous year. Accommodation linked to wine tourism will reach 20 million overnight stays, growing over 11% in 12 months. Approximately two-thirds of these tourists will be Italian, with the remaining third coming from abroad, including the United States, Asia, Oceania, and Europe—predominantly Germany, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria. The Cna suggests most wine tourists belong to the medium-high income bracket, engaging in experiential activities, especially during harvest.

🏠 According to Hotel Invest Compass by Cushman & Wakefield, Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and France are Europe's top investment destinations for 2025. Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome are investor favorites, with Prague (+14%), Munich (+8%), Milan (+4%), and Edinburgh (+4%) seeing significant interest growth. Investors allocated over €16 billion since 2019, with 70% predicting hotel price increases in 2025 due to capital cost reduction, hotel performance, and high demand amid product scarcity. A record-breaking 2025 is expected for Italian real estate investments, with preliminary data showing over half a billion in Q1 volumes, potentially the best in 20 years. Assets in due diligence are worth an additional €2 billion, focusing on major cities and tourist destinations. Rome and Milan are highly sought after, along with main lakes, Taormina, and the eastern Sardinian coast; Naples and Palermo are emerging markets. 94% of investors plan to maintain or increase hospitality investments in 2025, a 15% rise from the previous year.

🏨 Confindustria Alberghi at the 27th IHIF in Berlin on April 2, 2025, alongside ITA, Invitalia, and Italian operators, discussed the future of the growing global hospitality industry. The Italian market saw a 30% increase over the 10-year average, attracting over €2.1 billion in investments in 2024. Rome, Venice, and Milan were investor favorites, but luxury destinations like Lake Como and Sicily also gained interest, accounting for 39% of transactions. "Vacant possession" sales spiked to 73%, indicating direct investor management, while "value-added" investments comprised over half of the deals. Italy's networking space at IHIF aimed to connect businesses and investors, with a special round table and event at the Italian Embassy in Berlin highlighting the sector's economic and social growth potential.

💰 Axa completed the acquisition of Gruppo Nobis after preliminary agreements on August 1, 2024, for an initial consideration of €423 million. In 2024, Axa Italia grew by 22% to €6.2 billion in total premiums. Nobis had €600 million in gross premiums and €34 million in net profit in 2024, raising Axa Italia's turnover to €6.8 billion. Pietro Cazzola is appointed CEO of Nobis. Patrick Cohen and Chiara Soldano affirm the acquisition strengthens Axa's presence in Italy, particularly in Retail Damage, and promises growth and innovation.

📍 Summer 2025 travel desires focus on the United States, Maldives, and Indonesia, each offering unique experiences from on-the-road adventures, luxury ocean stays, to exotic nature and spirituality. Specifically, a self-drive tour is curated across the western United States, while in the Maldives, a luxury experience awaits at Siyam World in Noonu Atoll. Additionally, a tour in Indonesia includes Bali and nearby Singapore, highlighting carefully selected attractions and accommodations.

🏠 Ksl Capital Partners is eyeing the JW Marriott Venice, located on the Isola delle Rose, renovated by Matteo Thun. Managed by Eastdil Secured, the bidding for the hotel is around €140 million, with competitors like Starwood Capital and Morgan Stanley. Aareal Bank has owned the property since 2011, which was an artificial island built in 1870, housing a tuberculosis clinic in 1914, and becoming a private resort in 2015. Ksl acquired Sereno Hotels in 2023 and is involved in the potential sale of Unipol’s 61-property hotel portfolio, expected to fetch €1 billion.