Fusioni & Acquisizioni

✈; Volotea, led by CEO Carlos Muñoz, aims to reach 1,000 routes within five years, doubling its turnover. Europe's market potential of 510 million people, with 330 million in under-served cities, fuels this plan. Currently at 450 routes, Volotea's stake in Aegean could increase from 13% to 21% by next year. The airline is also eyeing Ita Airways and Lufthansa's slots at Milan Linate as part of the EU's merger approval conditions, competing with easyJet.

🍴 Serving 750 million meals annually, the collective catering sector in Italy employs over 100,000 professionals, 80% of whom are women. The industry's importance was highlighted during the Second Summit of Collective Catering on October 16 at CIRFOOD DISTRICT in Reggio Emilia, stressing the need for sustainability and addressing the challenges posed by the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) effective August 2020. The sector generates €4.1 billion, facing procurement and price challenges, with calls for tailored regulations and fair auction bases to ensure economic sustainability.

🍷 The Pala family, prominent Sardinian wine producers, have sold their winery and vineyards, primarily in Serdiana, to Tolaini of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena. The deal includes Mora&Memo, founded by Elisabetta Pala in 2011. Mario Pala, the winery's patron, decided to sell to ensure Pala's excellence and growth in the wine world. Lia Tolaini, who has distributed Pala wines in the American market for over 20 years, now spearheads the winery's future growth. Fabio Angius is appointed as the CEO and will lead sales strategies.

🍕 Baccanale 2024, an annual food culture event, kicks off on October 19 and runs until November 10 in Imola, Italy, featuring "Un filo d’olio" (A Thread of Oil) as its theme. The opening ceremony, with Mayor Marco Panieri and other officials, starts at 17:00 at Teatro Ebe Stignani. Esteemed Professor Massimo Montanari delivers a lecture on the historical and cultural significance of olive oil. The following day, historian Alessandro Barbero joins Montanari to discuss "Food and Society in the Middle Ages." Sponsors such as Gruppo Eurovo, Frantoio Valsanterno, and others support the event, alongside endorsements from cultural and regional institutions.

🍴 The historic Hotel d'Inghilterra Roma – Starhotels Collezione reopens its Cafè Romano after a major renovation that merges the space with the lobby. Executive Chef Andrea Sangiuliano, with experience at Hotel de Russie and Hotel Beau Rivage, leads the kitchen, offering seasonal and traditional Roman cuisine. The menu features classics with a modern twist and emphasizes fresh, local ingredients, partnering with KM Lazio producers. Pastry Chef Edoardo Volpe, formerly of Cova Pasticceria Montenapoleone in Paris, enhances the experience with contemporary desserts. The Cafè Romano Lounge Bar, led by Head Barman Angelo di Giorgi, provides a mixology experience with a new cocktail menu. General Manager Massimo Colli aspires to a unique hospitality experience in the heart of Rome.

📍 Gnv opened sales for summer 2025, earlier than previous years due to trade requests. Matteo Della Valle, chief passengers commercial officer at Gnv, highlights the move to meet intermediary needs, offering benefits for clients. The expanded offerings include destinations like Sardinia, Sicily, Morocco, Tunisia, Balearic Islands, and Albania, supported by new ships. The company anticipates a significant year in 2025 with fleet renewal and a focus on Italian tourism trends. Gnv commits to customer safety, 24/7 assistance, and intensified maintenance to minimize disruptions.

🏖️ In July, Italy's tourism balance of payments showed a surplus of €4.1 billion, consistent with July 2023. Foreign travelers spent €7.5 billion in Italy, up 1%, while Italian travelers abroad spent €3.3 billion, up 4%. From January to July 2024, tourism revenues and expenditures both increased by 9.6% over the same period in 2023. EU tourists' spending in Italy rose by 13%, while Italian spending abroad grew by 7% in EU destinations and 6% in non-EU destinations. (Source: www.bancaditalia.it)

🍷 Cantine Astroni hosts wine education courses in Campi Flegrei, the former Bourbon hunting reserve. Courses spanning end-2024 to 2025 include "Wine Meridian - WTH Academy Advanced," starting November 19, focusing on enotourism, and two WSET Level 2 sessions on October 28-30 and January 20-22, 2025. The advanced WSET Level 3 Award in Wines runs from June 23-30, 2025. "Good Sense" on January 13-14, 2025, trains Qualified Sensory Judges. Contact Cantine Astroni at info@cantineastroni.com or 350.1690363 for registration.

🏨 BWH Hotels Italia & Malta gears up for the last quarter of 2024 after a successful 2023 with a revenue of €365 million, 4.5 million guests, and 3 million roomnights. In the first nine months of 2024, the RevPar increased by 2.5%. The group added 14 new affiliations, expanding its total offering to 817 rooms. Key properties include BW Premier Hotel Malta in Qawra, Best Western Hotel Green City in Parma, and Muraless Art Hotel WorldHotels Crafted in Verona. CEO Sara Digiesi focuses on value addition and an upper-upscale segment through WorldHotels.

🏠 Founded in 1870, the Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples, the city's oldest hotel, joined Autentico Hotels, bringing their total to 20 properties. CEO Mario Cardone aims for 25 family-owned properties by 2025, the company's 10th anniversary. The Michelin-starred George Restaurant within the hotel boasts two stars. Autentico Hotels plans expansion to Sicily, Como, and the Langhe region. They engage with over 13,000 travel professionals and annually reach 1000 travel agencies in 25 countries to cater to high-spending international clientele.