Giuridico e Amministrativo

🌊 The Canary Islands are considering making Naviera Armas a maritime counterpart to the Binter airline. The regional government sees Armas as strategic for transporting goods between the islands and the peninsula. Investment funds, including JP Morgan, currently own the company, with interest in selling dating back a year. Negotiations with Balearia for purchase did not succeed.

🏫 C.L.A.S.S. teams up with Trinity Viaggi Studio to offer teachers educational tours of prestigious institutions in England and Scotland, funded by Carta del Docente. Three tours are available, visiting various universities like St. Mary’s, University of Greenwich, University of Kent, Hartpury University, Keele University, University of Nottingham, Queen Margaret University, and University of Stirling, from 6/3/2025 to 8/3/2025. Departures from Milan or Rome, with a participation certificate provided for credit recognition. Additionally, summer refresher courses are offered for teachers abroad.

🏛 A South Korean airline employee was arrested for selling confidential travel information of various celebrities, including K-Pop band BTS. She reportedly made around 10 million KRW (approximately 6,600 euros) by distributing data about trips taken between 2023 and 2024. Investigations may extend to more airline staff.

🏖 The Italian Ministry of Tourism has set up an email (funt@ministetoturismo.gov.it) for inquiries about the National Tourism Fund. Documentation related to administrative procedures should be sent to dir.promozione@pec.ministeroturismo.gov.it. Communications through other channels will not be considered.

🏠 TTG Travel Experience e InOut | The Hospitality Community hanno incontrato a Milano per il TTG Day, un evento focalizzato su innovazione e impresa nel settore ospitalità. Il TTG Italia ha raccontato l'evento in tempo reale fino alle 16:00. Il prossimo appuntamento è previsto per TTG Travel Experience dall'8 al 10 ottobre a Rimini. I temi principali hanno riguardato il bilanciamento tra razionalità e irrazionalità, il ruolo dell'intelligenza artificiale (IA) e l'importanza del tocco umano nel turismo. L'evento ha visto la partecipazione di esperti di settore e di esponenti del turismo, con l'obiettivo di offrire spunti di riflessione e case history per una nuova etica d'impresa.

🏖 Federagit Confesercenti welcomes the response to the Ministry of Tourism's call for new tour guides, highlighting a high level of interest in the profession. President Micol Caramello notes the applications are nearly double the number of currently licensed guides and stresses the importance of an exam that protects both the 14,000 existing professionals and future guides, emphasizing their role in Italy's tourism industry.

🏩 The 'nuove rotte' tender will expire on March 26, outlined by Sardinia's Transport and Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce Department, allocating €10 million annually until 2026 to support airlines proposing new routes to and from the island. It covers 50% of airport costs for 67 total routes—19 to Alghero, 16 to Olbia, and 32 to Cagliari. David Crognaletti, Sogaer's commercial director, highlights the opportunity for Cagliari to demonstrate its year-round tourist appeal. Applications can be made via Sardinia's regional website.

✈ Spirit Airlines, poised to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy, received approval from a New York court for its restructuring plan. The airline anticipates new investments of $350 million and plans to issue $840 million in new secured senior debt post-Chapter 11. Additionally, Spirit expects a new credit line up to $300 million.

🛫 Ectaa, the European association of travel agents, criticizes the draft report on the revision of the travel package directive in Brussels. The report is said to overlook market operators' concerns, failing to enhance consumer protection or industry stability. Ectaa is disappointed by the lack of in-depth dialogue and by the report's definition of a package, which now includes two sales on the same website within 72 hours, complicating retailers' ability to distinguish between a package and a single service. The association challenges the 25% limit on advance payments, which could affect retailers' liquidity. Travel package directives represent less than 15% of travel services sold in the EU market, a decrease from 40% in 2013, and Ectaa urges the EU to improve protection for the 85% of consumers using single services.

🏠 Marco Celani, Aigab president and CEO of Italianway, emphasized in the "Short-Term Rentals in Italy in 2024" report that short-term rentals contribute significantly to Italy's GDP, amounting to €66 billion, including €13 billion from direct bookings, €52 billion from related industries, and €1 billion from renovations and maintenance. Only 2.2% of real estate was shifted from long-term to short-term rentals, and 30.4% comes from inherited properties. Online listing analysis in Milan, Rome, and Florence shows active short-term rental listings at 0.9%, 1%, and 3%, respectively.