Fusioni & Acquisizioni

✈️ 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.

🛀 Federterme forecasts record numbers for Italy's thermal hotels, expecting over 100 million euros in spending between December 21, 2024, and January 6, 2025. Approximately 500,000 tourist presences are anticipated, with daily spending estimated between 170 and 200 euros. Wellness, prevention, and beauty treatments drive demand, highlighting the strategic role of thermal baths in Italy's tourism industry during the 2024-2025 Christmas season.

🍴 Ca'Pelletti - Cucina sempre aperta, a chain of Romagnolo-style inns, served over 52,000 dishes of cappelletti, 29,000 tagliatelle plates, and 24,000 lasagne in 2024. The brand repositioned from "Locanda di Romagna" to "Cucina sempre aperta" offering an all-day, year-round service. In 2024, they launched "Fuori programma" limited edition dishes every two months and attracted over 26,000 coupon downloads via social media. Events like "Spadelliamo alla grande" and "Torna a Ca' che è pronto" saw participation from 2,000+ guests.

🍷 Valdo, a leader in Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, presents "Valdo Numero 10" for year-end festivities. This unique Millesimato, made with 100% Glera grapes, follows the Metodo Classico with 10 months of fermentation in the bottle and an additional 6 months rest post-disgorgement. It's part of the Collezione Atelier, showcasing Valdo's nearly century-long winemaking skill. Recognized internationally, "Valdo Numero 10" is available for 18€ at official Valdo websites, wine shops, and e-shops.

🏨 By 2025, the hospitality industry will see AI-based CRM systems enhance guest experience through personalized service recommendations and efficient booking management. Chatbots and virtual assistants will improve customer service, while automated check-ins and IoT sensors will boost operational efficiency and sustainability with eco-friendly solutions like LED lighting. Blockchain technology will ensure secure transactions, emphasizing the importance of data privacy. These innovations will be critical for hotels to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands.

💰 GlobalData's analysis from January to November 2024 shows a 5.9% decrease in travel and tourism sector deals worldwide, totaling 649 compared to 690 in the same period in 2023. M&A volumes dipped by 0.8%, venture financing fell 25.3%, while private equity deals grew 27.3% year-on-year. Regional variations were observed: North America (-31%), Middle East and Africa (-18.2%), South and Central America (-20%), Asia-Pacific (-2.3%), while Europe saw a 15.9% increase. The USA, China, South Korea, and France experienced declines of 30.2%, 25.6%, 8.7%, and 25% respectively, whereas the UK, India, and Japan saw increases of 10%, 28.9%, and 44.8%.

🍷 Frank Meier, bartender at Ritz Paris, first published the Mimosa recipe in 1936; cocktail possibly created in 1925. By 1966, it became a favorite of British royalty and Alfred Hitchcock. Marking its 40th year in the IBA list in 2024, Mimosa was initially confused with Buck's Fizz in IBA's 1984 official list. It was officially distinguished from Buck's Fizz by the IBA in 2004 and featured in the 2001 film "Rat Race" starring Rowan Atkinson and Whoopi Goldberg. Official IBA recipe: 75ml Prosecco, 75ml fresh orange juice.

🏝 Italy's balance of payments on tourism recorded a surplus of €2.7 billion in September, slightly down from September 2023. Foreign travelers' spending in Italy remained stable at €5.8 billion, while Italian travelers' spending abroad increased by nearly 4% to €3.1 billion. In the third quarter of 2024, the surplus was €9.6 billion, approximately 0.4% of GDP, consistent with the previous year's same quarter. Spending by Italian travelers abroad and foreign tourists in Italy grew by around 1% and 3.5%, respectively, with European destinations seeing about a 6% increase in spending.

💸 ACI blueteam reports a 5% increase in turnover to €270 million in 2024. Key sectors: Corporate Travel at €180 million (+2.84%), MICE up by 27% to €26 million, Leisure Travel grew 20% reaching €25 million, and Fulfillment held steady at €39 million. Despite a contraction in the fashion segment (60% of corporate revenue), growth was achieved. Expansion plans for 2025 include new Exclusive brand stores and the RIDE project. Prestigious events like the G7 Tourism summit were hosted.

🏖 FIPE-Confcommercio analysis on Istat data shows a decrease in tourist presence by 2.9 million (-1.4%) in the third quarter compared to the previous year. International visitors increased by 2.8% but didn't fully offset the 5.5% drop in domestic tourism. The summer of 2024 marked the first time foreign presences (52.3%) surpassed Italian tourists (47.7%). 9.3 million fewer Italian tourist presences than in summer 2019 (-8.7%), nearly recovered by an 8.6 million (+8.8%) rise in international visitors over five years.