Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🚂 Ouigo, the railway company, adjusts its strategy in Spain, scaling back operations in the north and focusing on expansion into Andalusia. The Madrid-Segovia-Valladolid line will run only on weekends between September 9 and December 13. A new route from Valladolid to Valencia via Segovia and Madrid launches in December, with sales starting in October and service running daily from December 15 until at least June of the following year.

🚀 Marconi di Bologna airport is facing a difficult period due to increased air traffic after COVID-19, reaching a historic high this summer and undergoing peak expansion and redevelopment works from a €200 million investment as part of a masterplan updated for 2026. The airport, dating back to the 1980s within the city, is the seventh busiest for passenger traffic (10 million in 2023) and third for cargo. Current plans aim for 12.5 million users by 2030, with high-speed rail access in seven minutes. In July, passenger numbers exceeded 1.1 million, and in June, they hit one million (+10% from the previous year). Meanwhile, other Emilia airports, Parma, Forlì, and Rimini, struggle to keep up.

📈 Italo and Snav, in an ongoing initiative since June and lasting until the end of the year, have joined brands for enhanced service. Italo trains, connecting major Italian cities including port cities like Naples, feature Snav ferry representations on their sides. Likewise, Snav vessels showcase Italo trains on their liveries. Italo's network includes Italobus for extended coverage with integrated tickets. Snav operates fast vessels connecting Naples to Capri, Ischia, Procida, the Aeolian (Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Vulcano, Lipari) and Pontine Islands (Ventotene, Ponza), and Ancona to Spalato.

🚀 Great Raul Journeys incorporated its 'twin' brand Rail Discoveries into the main portfolio, now referred to simply as Discoveries on their principal website. This change, reported by ttgmedia.com, will not affect the brand's operations or partner activities, ensuring no interruptions in bookings or existing itineraries. The process began in 2022 with a redesign of logos, marking a new phase for the company.

🎢 Disney Group is expanding into the cruise industry with an investment in 4 new ships to be delivered between 2027 and 2031. Disney Cruise Line will add these to its fleet alongside two upcoming ships: the Treasure, debuting in November, and the Destiny, set for the same month the following year. Announced at the latest convention, this news complements forthcoming attractions at Disneyland Paris.

🌋 Juan Josè Hidalgo, president of Spanish group Globalia, faces a rejection from Iberia and IAG group regarding the acquisition of Air Europa. In response, he is crafting a new strategy to grow the company by creating a tour operator to compete with other major Spanish players and boost passengers for Air Europa. Hidalgo is engaging with top investors to develop a high-level project in collaboration with Air Europa, leveraging its strong routes in Central and South America, and various European destinations. After the failed deal with IAG, Globalia is entitled to over 100 million euros in compensation.

🎢 Fincantieri is negotiating with Carnival Corporation to build six new ships, plus two options, to enhance the fleets of Carnival, Aida, and possibly Costa, starting in 2029, with an estimated value of 8 billion euros. In the first half of 2024, Fincantieri's profits rose by 16% to 214 million euros, with stable revenues of 3.68 billion euros. In April, they signed a deal with Norwegian Cruise Line for six ships for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, and a letter of intent for four jumbo ships for NCL.

🏖️ Confindustria Alberghi reported that Italian beach resorts saw bookings by locals rise by 1.5 percentage points and international bookings by 6.3 percentage points compared to 2023. Germany, Switzerland, and France lead the markets, with over 85% of rooms booked during the five weeks of August, and the third week being fully booked. Art cities like Venice, Rome, and Milan experience a decline in occupancy, with Venice at over 72%, then dropping to 65%, Rome starting at 70% and decreasing to 60% from August 12-31, and Milan at 60%, then reducing to 50% in the last three weeks of August.

📈 The sale of Gruppo Alpitour has slowed, with negotiations with Goldman Sachs ongoing for five months. Giovanni Tamburi, the main shareholder, acknowledges a deceleration in the process, stating there's no hurry and all options remain open. Despite the delay, Alpitour exceeded its budget in the first quarter of 2024. Potential buyers have suggested that the company was valued at its peak.

💸 Allianz Partners and Alidays Travel Experience announced a partnership offering travelers multi-risk insurance solutions tailored to different needs with varying coverage levels. These solutions include travel assistance, medical expenses, baggage coverage, delayed delivery, late arrival, return home, continuation of travel, and extended stay. Advanced packages incorporate cancellation and trip interruption, and the most complete package includes access to the allyz digital platform by Allianz Partners. Customers can also enhance their policy with additional medical expense coverage. Davide Catania, CEO of Alidays, emphasizes shared values focused on client welfare. Marco Gioieni, CEO of Allianz Partners Italia, highlights the union of digital innovation and human touch in their offerings.