Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🏕 MSC, through its Explora brand, is seeking to improve its presence in the luxury cruise market, as CEO Gianni Onorato acknowledges the company isn't as prominent as it should be. Onorato notes the challenge in Southern Europe, contrasting with more seasoned luxury cruise markets like the USA and Great Britain. MSC aims to design purely luxury itineraries to gain traction in this sector, encouraging Italian advs to favor the MSC brand, with optimism for significant satisfaction by 2025.

🏨 Velox Group, a national leader in hotel services, marks its 35th anniversary in 2025 and aims to exceed €100 million revenue in six years. In 2024, the company reported €65 million in revenue. The annual convention is set for January 10 at the Muraless Art Hotel, owned by Velox Group and part of BWH Hotels' WorldHotels Crafted brand. President Gianmaria Villa will outline new goals at the event, celebrating both the anniversary and significant achievements, emphasizing quality services and sustainable growth. Velox Group's expansion includes Velox Egitto in Cairo and Velox Hotellerie in Perugia, enhancing operational effectiveness and consolidating its leadership in outsourcing and hotel housekeeping.

🏨 Aldiana, the hotel division of Dertur, acquires Labranda Rocca Nettuno Tropea in Calabria, expanding Fti Group's offerings, which include the newly acquired Club Aldiana Andalucía. The Calabrian hotel features 290 rooms, a pool, restaurants, a beach bar, an open-air theater, and sports facilities. In 2023, Aldiana Club Side Beach opened in Turkey, while Aldiana Club Ampflwang and Fuerteventura were acquired. Aldiana Club Zanzibar Kwanza opened in November 2024, with further openings planned in Austria and Egypt.

🛫 Qatar Airways resumes three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, starting January 7, 2025, after a hiatus due to mid-December political events. The airline's commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and passenger demand is the impetus for the resumption. Close coordination with authorities ensures necessary safety, security, and operational standards are met, as announced by CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of Damascus.

📈 In Italy, 770,000 jobs will be created in 2023, with two-thirds aimed at covering turnover, according to Excelsior Unioncamere. Sectors such as logistics, retail and wholesale trade, accommodation and food services, construction, and industry, highlighted by Adecco, are leading in hiring. The travel sector is particularly experiencing a high labor demand post-pandemic, indicating a significant 'mismatch' between job supply and demand.

🏖️ Toscana's tourism in 2024 marked a 2.2% increase in visitors, surpassing 46.8 million overnight stays and 15.1 million arrivals, with foreigners accounting for 57% (over 26.6 million nights). Hotels experienced a 2.4% rise, while other accommodations saw a 2.1% growth. However, for the first quarter of 2025, only 11% of Tuscan operators expect an increase in tourism, 65% foresee consistent volumes, and 23% anticipate a decrease. A dip of 1.9 percentage points in bookings compared to last year was noted, with weakened domestic demand and a slow down from key foreign markets. President Eugenio Giani highlighted global economic uncertainty and European economy downturns but noted Tuscany's appeal and positive signals from non-European countries.

💥 South Korean police raided Jeju Air offices after a plane crash last week killed 179 people. The company's CEO was ordered not to leave the country. Investigations focus on the embankment design and location at the runway's end, where the crash occurred. Offices in the airport and Seoul headquarters were searched.

✈️ Vincenzo Florio Airport in Trapani, Sicily, experiences growth supported by the Sicilian Region. After a challenging post-Covid period, the airport surpassed one million passengers in 2023, a figure maintained in 2024. The regional government's new budget includes an 8 million euro annual investment for 2025-2027 to enhance air connections and passenger traffic. Airgest president Salvatore Ombra highlights an investment return of 45 times, promoting a prosperous future for Trapani's transport sector.

🏖 Asset Italia 1 Srl, holding about 36% of Alpitour's capital, received acquisition offers for all its shares in Alpiholding Srl and Alpitour Spa from 'Dal 1802 Educazione Cultura Salute Ambiente Tecnologia Srl' and 'Parabensa Srl', which represent 36.03% of Alpitour's capital. Asset Italia 1 Srl also owns 49.9% of Alpiholding Srl. Offers will be evaluated by Asset Italia 1 and Asset Italia's administrative bodies before the pre-emption rights deadline on February 6, 2025.

✈️ Gruppo Lufthansa announced the purchase of 5 additional A350-1000 aircraft, expected between 2028 and 2030. This order adds to the 10 A350-1000s ordered from Airbus in 2023, with deliveries starting April 2026. CEO Carsten Spohr states the new planes will modernize the fleet and significantly cut emissions, aligning with sustainability goals, while also enhancing customer travel experience with top-level comfort.