Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🏨 Minor Hotels plans to open nearly 300 new hotels in the next three years, reaching a total of 850 properties. Already boasting over 560 properties and 81,000 rooms globally, their expansion includes 47,000 new rooms. Focused on market diversification, with more than 50% in Europe, the group will add over 100 properties in Asia, 60+ in the Middle East and Africa, and 40 in Australia and New Zealand. Strategic markets include North America and Northern Asia with key emerging markets like Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey. The luxury and upscale segments drive growth, with one-third of new openings in luxury brands like Anantara, Tivoli, and Elewana Collection. By 2025, Minor Hotels will launch two new brands and emphasize branded residences in over a dozen countries. Their expansion plan comprises 38% conversions and advanced projects, while the rest are new developments. The group's "asset-right" model aims to balance ownership with leasing, management, and franchising, targeting a 50% balance by 2027, with over 90% of new development projects under management contracts or franchising.

🏨 Aena will invest over one billion euros in the Canary Islands' airports for modernization during 2027-2031, focusing on Tenerife South, Tenerife North, and Lanzarote airports. This surpasses the current plan's 300 million euros. Projects for tender will be developed by the end of the year. Tenerife South is notably the most advanced in preparation. The investment aims to integrate island and international terminals, responding to calls for local input in airport decisions as per the Autonomy Statute.

🏖 Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, linked with the luxury tourism destination Costa Smeralda, died in Lisbon at 88. In 1962, he bought 1,800 hectares in Sardinia, founded Alisarda, now Meridiana, which later failed. He built Olbia airport and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in 1969, and took over Ciga Hotels Spa in 1985, which struggled and was sold to Sheraton in 1995. Awarded by Italian Presidents and Queen Elizabeth II, he was honored in 1977, 1988, and received a title in 1957.

📍 Cathay Pacific is investing over 100 billion Hong Kong dollars (over 1 trillion euros) by 2032 to revitalize its passenger experience, with premium materials and technology. The new Aria Suite for the B777 is part of the upgrades. Flights to Milan will occur daily, and Rome's seasonal flight is reopening. The focus on the European market relates to high load factors and margins, with key hubs in London, Paris, and Munich. The Italian market is promising due to Asia's interest in Rome, especially during the Jubilee, and Milan's trade and fashion connections. There are hopes to make Rome's seasonal flight a regular service.

🛫 Intrepid Travel expands in Europe by acquiring Dutch operator Sawadee Reizen from Travelopia for €60 million, aiming to boost experiential tourism. This deal ranks the Netherlands among Intrepid's top five markets, alongside Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. CEO James Thornton emphasizes the merger's alignment with Intrepid's mission to become the world's largest vertically integrated experiential travel company.

🏖️ Going's summer 2025 program includes 4 luxury resort structures in Egypt and Greece, accessible via direct flights from six Italian airports. Resorts featured are Cleopatra Sidi Heneish in Marsa Matrouh and Sunrise Diamond Beach Resort in Sharm el Sheikh, along with Costa Lindia Beach on Rhodes and Minos Imperial in Crete. Flights depart from Milan, Bergamo, Rome, Naples, Verona, and Bologna on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays. Sharm el Sheikh flights from Milan run from late April to late October, from Bologna late June to mid-October, from Rome mid-April to late November, and from Naples on Sundays from June 1 to September 28. Marsa Matrouh flights operate on Tuesdays from late May to late September. Rhodes has direct flights from Milan on Saturdays from June 7 to late September, from Rome from mid-June to mid-September, and from Naples from late June to late August. Crete is served by direct flights from Milan and Rome on Saturdays from mid-June to mid-September.

💰 Gianluigi Aponte, the patron of MSC, is reportedly interested in acquiring Alpitour, with analysts identifying Neos (controlled by Alpi) as a primary target. Giovanni Tamburi, who recently gained almost complete control over the Turin group's shareholders, could facilitate quick negotiations. Tamburi is considering exiting after investing in Alpitour and MSC is capable of meeting the financial demands. The potential sale marks a pivotal moment in Alpitour's history, ideally occurring with solid finances and positive projections for 2025.

🍳 Kellogg’s will be the official snack of Fuori Sanremo 2025 at Radio Italia, happening from February 11-15 at the Grand Hotel Londra. Kellogg’s High Protein bars, featuring 25% protein and flavors like Almond & Salted Caramel and Almond & Dark Chocolate, are spotlighted. Other options include Special K Red Berries bars, under 83 calories each, and the classic Almond & Chocolate, with 41% nuts. Kellanova, with a legacy over 100 years, reported $13 billion in 2023 net revenue and aims to reach 4 billion people by 2030.

🏛 Ekn Development, a Californian group, allocated €64 million for the restoration of the Grand Hotel San Pellegrino in Bergamo, Italy. Originally opened in 1904 and closed in 1979, the hotel was purchased in 2000 by the Province and later transferred to the Municipality. It's set to reopen in 2029 under a 99-year concession agreement with San Pellegrino Terme. The hotel will feature a spa, luxury shops, a restaurant, a bar under the dome with a library and terrace, 118 rooms, an infinity pool, a hot tub, bocce courts, outdoor seating & gardens. The hotel management will be entrusted to an experienced company.

📅 Jörg Eberhart, CEO of ITA, confirms the Alitalia brand holds high value and potential and will be relaunched without changing its livery. The focus is on ensuring company stability before reactivation. Alitalia's appeal remains strong, and ITA's new shareholder plans to leverage this as part of its strategic alliance with Lufthansa. The revival of Alitalia is tied to ITA achieving breakeven, which is expected within the year, with medium to long-term projections for brand reactivation.