Fusioni & Acquisizioni

🏡 Lefay Resorts & Residences expands with five new villas at Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, Gargnano, opened in 2008. Sky Pool Villas, ranging from 300 to 550 sqm with private gardens and infinity pools, on sale from €3.5 million, set for delivery by summer 2025. Owners enjoy 5-star services, 4,300 sqm SPA, restaurants, and inclusion in a rental program. CEO Alcide Leali highlights the successful model after Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti sold all 21 units.

🏖️ Dimensione Sicilia announces the 2024/25 edition of Sicilian Secrets, a series of tours exploring Sicily's authentic winter. Four itineraries correspond to four festivals: the Immaculate Conception tour showcasing festive decorations and traditional flavors; New Year's Eve immersed in local culture; a trip for St. Agatha's day celebrating Catania's patron saint with one of Italy's most thrilling religious festivals; and the Acireale Carnival, known for its spectacular masks and folklore.

📌 In Italy, religious and non-profit accommodations saw a +10% average increase in guests during summer compared to the same period in 2023, with a peak of +13% in coastal areas. Foreign visitors increased by +9% nationally, favoring nature-immersed retreats away from tourist crowds with a +14% rise. Despite a 3% average rate increase in art cities, seaside, and nature retreats, and 1.5% in mountain facilities, 92% of managers were satisfied, as the funds will support charitable and social missions of organizations with 200,000 beds across all Italian provinces.

📈 Platinum Equity acquires majority stake in F.lli Polli S.p.A., an Italian leader in pasta condiments and vegetable preserves. Financial terms not disclosed. The Polli family retains a minority share. F.lli Polli, established in 1872, serves clients in over 50 countries, is one of Europe's largest pesto producers, operates four state-of-the-art facilities, processes over 130 different raw materials, and produces approximately 29,000 tons of vegetables and over 190 million packaged products annually. The deal aims to enhance F.lli Polli's global market presence and growth potential.

💰 CEME SpA, global leader in vibration pumps and solenoid valves, headquartered in Trivolzio (PV) and controlled by Investindustrial, acquires a majority stake in DTI, an Italian company specializing in advanced electronic solutions for coffee machines, beverage, pizza&bakery, and professional food service sectors. DTI, founded in 2009 in Tavagnacco (UD), boasts two industrial plants, one in Tavagnacco and a new 5,000 sqm facility in Hungary opened in 2024, employing around 90 people. CEME's acquisition will enable comprehensive fluid management product offerings, strengthening its position as the world leader in the home and professional coffee machine market. CEME Group, led by President & CEO Roberto Zecchi since 2015, targets global leadership and has acquired ODE and ACL in 2021, PROCON in 2022, and Micropump in 2023. CEME has eight production sites with 1,600 employees, distributing products in 70 countries, achieving €325 million in revenue in 2023.

📖 During the 70th celebration of the Michelin Guide Italy, held at Nuvola Lavazza in Turin, the "Taste Tourism" study revealed a jump in revenue generated by Italian starred restaurants from €280 million to €438 million, excluding on-site dining expenses. The 70th edition will be unveiled on November 5 in Modena. In 2023, starred restaurants welcomed 2.4 million customers, with 40.7% from abroad, contributing to the €438 million revenue, expected to rise to nearly €500 million (€498 million) in 2024. Lombardy, Campania, and Piedmont are the top benefiting regions, with Naples, Rome, and Milan leading at the provincial level. Michelin's historical ties in Italy date back to 1906, with a direct economic impact of €343 million in 2023 through over 3000 suppliers.

🏡 Four Italian hotels featured in The World's 50 Best Hotels: Passalacqua on Lake Como ranked second and won Best Boutique Hotel 2024. Other Italian hotels listed include Four Seasons Florence, Borgo Santandrea, and Castello di Reschio. Capella Bangkok topped the ranking, with Rosewood Hong Kong and Cheval Blanc Paris following. Italy's luxury hospitality highlighted.

📍 Lufthansa is nearing the completion of acquiring 41% of Ita Airways, working closely with the Italian Ministry of Treasury. By November 3, 2024, following EU Antitrust approval, the companies must identify competitors for North American routes from Rome to Washington, San Francisco, and Toronto. 15 daily slot pairs at Linate Airport and short-haul routes will open to competition, overseen by Nocon. A competitive process will facilitate North American route access, either by direct flights or through airlines offering connecting flights via European hubs. The final agreement, triggering a €325 million capital increase by Lufthansa for the 41% stake, is expected by December 2024, with options for additional share transfers from 2025.

📍 Following the collapse of the German tourism giant FTI, Tui acquired most of the company's activities in the Canary Islands, significantly boosting passenger numbers and improving performance. Despite also gaining ground in Turkey after FTI's failure, Tui faces less optimistic prospects there due to the country's high inflation.

🍷 Italian wine exports in the first half of 2024 reached €3.9 billion, a 3.2% increase in value, and exported 10.6 million hectoliters, a 2.4% increase in volume year-over-year. Sparkling wines led with an 11% rise in volume and 7% in revenue. The USA and the UK slightly grew by 2% and 2.3% respectively, while Germany dropped by 1.2%. Veneto's regional value increased by 5.7%, yielding €1.4 billion, and Tuscany surpassed Piedmont with a 3.5% growth. The sector saw a slowdown compared to the first four months' 6-7% growth.