Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🌊 Ponant, now rebranded as Ponant Explorations Group following a majority stake acquisition by Aqua Expeditions, aims to reach a revenue target of one billion euros. This rebranding signifies the cruise company's intent to "accelerate growth" and introduce new travel solutions.

✈ Air Europa starts flights to Prague from Madrid on March 30, following a codeshare agreement with Czech airline Smartwings. This partnership enhances Air Europa's presence in Central Europe and adds to its codeshare operations in Denmark, France, and the Netherlands. The airline has nearly 30 alliances, reaching around 170 destinations in over 30 countries worldwide.

📍 Going launched their project in 2022 with a 5-year development plan. Maurizio Casabianca, the chief commercial & operations officer, aims to increase revenue from €33 million in 2024 to over €45 million in 2025. The company's growth leverages a synergy with Disney, becoming the official distributor for Walt Disney World Orlando in Italy. Ivana Di Stasio, pm Stati Uniti and head of the Naples office, emphasizes their flagship Disney World combinations enriched with authentic, eco-sustainable experiences. Going's 'stylosophy' extends to offering alternative itineraries in Japan and other destinations. Their "Stylosophy on tour" training events for agencies began on March 12. Mariagrazia Verna, the sales director, mentions a roadshow in 14 stages for trade, special incentive plans, and local meetings to introduce new products, including Going Resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Matrouh, Creta, and Rodi. The new catalog will be distributed next week.

🏨 The acquisition race for Gruppo Una, formed in December 2016 from Atahotels and UNA Hotels & Resorts integration, includes Ksl Capital, Blackstone, and Starwood Capital. Non-binding offers were submitted to Goldman Sachs, with binding proposals expected by the month's end. Ksl Capital, an international fund specializing in travel & leisure, has been active in Italy since acquiring a majority of Sereno Hotels two years ago, managing over $21 billion across various sectors. Blackstone operates in Italy through a joint venture with Aeroviaggi and Mangia's, and their Spanish subsidiary Hip is also on the market. Miami-based Starwood Capital, founded in 1991, manages around $115 billion in assets. Unipol anticipates Gruppo Una's sale to yield roughly €1 billion; the group comprises 55 properties across three brands, with 21 directly controlled, 15 managed, and the rest franchised.

✈ Ita Airways debuted in Germany at the Itb Berlin event within the Lufthansa group space. The significant occasion marked Ita Airways' entry ahead of summer 2025, showcasing its aircraft among various brands under the German giant. Emiliana Limosani, CCO, engaged with commercial partners to gauge the German market's initial reaction. While Lufthansa's conduct policies are strict, Ita Airways aims to maintain a degree of autonomy until full majority ownership is achieved, recognizing Southern Europe's enticing market potential and Lufthansa's possible strategic adjustments, drawing from past experiences with Swiss and Austrian. Celebrating Ita's entry, Lufthansa's stand served Italian coffee, highlighting Italian style.

🚀 Turkish Airlines transported over 2.137 million passengers from Italy in one year, marking a 6% increase from 2023. Istanbul was the main destination for 19% of travelers, up by 5.4%. The "Stopover İstanbul" offers free hotel stays for connecting passengers with at least 20 hours layover, and "Tourİstanbul" provides free city tours for layovers between 6 and 24 hours. Top Turkish cities visited from Italy in 2024 included Kayseri, Izmir, and Ankara. Manila, Malé, and Tashkent remained the most popular destinations outside Turkey. The airline saw a 9% increase in passengers traveling with pets. Senior Vice President Harun Baştürk highlighted strategic investments and a commitment to high service standards, aiming to enhance Italy's connectivity to 352 global destinations.

🌎 Abruzzo joins Futura Vacanze's exclusive programming with the addition of Futura Style Berti Hotels to its portfolio, which has been awarded the Blue Flag since 2008. The new entry brings the number of addresses in the Futura Style portfolio to 14, spanning regions including Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Campania, and now Abruzzo. The move is strategic for Futura Vacanze to tap into the tourist flow from Central Italy, complementing those from the North and South. The Futura Style Berti Hotels features the 5-star Hotel Berti and the 4-star Hotel President, with a total of 300 rooms, two swimming pools, a large equipped beach, and entertainment activities—ideal for families with interconnected rooms (2+2 beds) available. Dining options include table service at Hotel Berti and buffet service at Hotel President. Alberto Cannavale, director of product Italy for Futura Vacanze, highlights the choice of the Futura Style structures for their quality and range of vacation solutions suitable for different targets throughout the season.

🏡 Italy Family Hotels updated its logo after 24 years to better reflect its identity and values. As of 2025, the consortium has grown to 153 certified hotels in 17 Italian regions and 77 locations, a 40.7% increase from 103 hotels in 2019. With the addition of Basilicata, including Sira Resort and Castroboleto Village, the consortium expanded from 13 regions in 2019. The update signifies an ongoing refresh of the brand's concept and messaging.

🏠 Atmosphere Core, a South Asian hospitality leader, is launching its first European destination, Borgo Monchiero in the Langhe, Piedmont, as part of "Heritage by Atmosphere." The 18th-century monastery features 19 timeless suites and rooms, a private chapel, a main restaurant, lounge bar, terrace with panoramic views, spa area with sauna and private jacuzzi, and an outdoor garden with a pool. The launch is planned for 2026, expanding Atmosphere Core's portfolio, which includes nine resorts in the Maldives, with additional properties in Sri Lanka and 17 in India set to open within three years.

🏖️ The TTG Monitor survey at TTG Day reveals that 57% of foreign and 72% of Italian buyers prioritize the value of travel experiences over destinations. Italian tourists prefer deeply engaging with the location (76%), while 55% of foreign buyers agree. Transformative travel experiences are significant for 69% of foreign and 55% of Italian buyers. Multigenerational travel is increasing, reported by 72% of foreign and 50% of Italian buyers. Italy is seen as competitive by 70% of foreign buyers versus 30% of Italian buyers. Rail transport is valued for quality/price by 63% of buyers, local transport by 53%, and maritime by 52%. Artificial intelligence is primarily used by buyers for custom tour planning, traveler assistance, and creating marketing materials, with foreigners being more confident in its administrative and HR applications.