Giuridico e Amministrativo

🛫 Spanish travel agents are protesting the new 'booking registry', effective with a decree by the Ministry of the Interior, which mandates registration and information duties for lodging and vehicle rental businesses. A massive protest was organized at Turespana's Fitur stand in Madrid, where industry associations presented a manifesto to Ana Muñoz, Director General for Tourism Policy, arguing the measure doesn't exclude travel agencies and tour operators as requested. They claim this unique regulation affects competitiveness as some travelers are unwilling to provide all data at booking.

🔥 Los Angeles faced a new blaze, following fires that started on January 7. Over 50,000 people in the area have been issued evacuation orders or warnings. Firefighters are reportedly making good progress on containment. The recent fire affected Lake Castaic area, roughly 60 kilometers from the city. California's Highway 5, running north to south, has been closed in both directions due to the fire.

🚀 Wizz Air discontinued its premium-rate call center number on January 21, aiming to reduce additional costs for consumers. The airline encourages passengers to use its online self-service platform for managing bookings, obtaining flight information, and handling issues regarding delays or cancellations. Wizz Air provides 24/7 assistance through an online chatbot, Amelia, and live chat support in English and, from Monday to Friday (9 am-6 pm), in Italian and German in Italy and Germany.

✈ Volotea to increase seats for sale from Naples by 18% in 2025, reaching 621,000 compared to 525,000 in 2024. Flights will rise from 3,115 to 3,571, serving 22 destinations across Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Spain, and Denmark. Starting July 6, a new international flight to Marseille from Salerno will launch. In 2024, Volotea employed up to 58 employees at its Capodichino base. The expansion aims to support economic and tourist growth in Campania.

🚢 Nizza's Mayor, Christian Estrosi, plans to ban cruise ships with more than 900 passengers from docking at the French port starting next summer. The policy targets ships over 190 meters, potentially impacting the 124 cruise ships scheduled to visit Nizza in 2025. This move is expected to reduce cruise passenger arrivals by 70%, as Estrosi criticizes these "floating hotels" for pollution and low-cost tourism that doesn't contribute economically. Upcoming legislation could disrupt ship itineraries planned years in advance.

🏖 Aefi joined the 'Patto per il turismo' initiated by the Italian Ministry of Tourism during the second edition of the International Tourism Forum. Loredana Sarti, the association's general secretary, represented President Maurizio Danese to sign the pact, aiming to outline a common path of shared actions to boost the growth of Italy's tourism industry.

🏖 The Milleproroghe decree is extending several measures into 2025, impacting tourism, particularly for communities within the Apennine mountain range. A fund is provided for businesses affected by reduced snowfall from November 2023 to March 2024, requiring a revenue decrease of at least 30% compared to the previous year. Beneficiaries include lift operators, rental services, ski instructors, travel agencies, tour operators, thermal bath establishments, and hospitality and restaurant businesses. The decree extends a 50% subsidy on expenditures for energy efficiency and seismic retrofitting of tourism-related structures until 31 October 2025. Simplified procedures for installing photovoltaic systems in tourism and thermal facilities are prolonged until 31 December 2025. Additionally, the deadline for private sector employers to sign fixed-term contracts beyond 12 months and for businesses to secure catastrophic risk insurance contracts is extended to 31 March 2025.

🍵 Nespresso introduces "Purple Collection," a limited edition of Arpeggio-inspired purple coffee and accessories. The Arpeggio blend, originally named "Toscana" in 1993 to pay tribute to Florence's tradition and elegance, was renamed in 1999. The collection includes classic Arpeggio, caffeinated Arpeggio Extra, and decaffeinated versions. Accessories and a limited-edition Pixie machine in purple Arpeggio are available. The new collection is available from January 15, 2025, through all Nespresso channels. Nespresso, with 157,000 farmers in 18 countries, received B Corp certification in 2022, operates in 93 markets, and has 14,000 employees with a global retail network of 791 boutiques.

🚪 An Italian law bans key boxes for vacation rental management, requiring in-person check-ins and direct guest identity verification with physical documentation. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, including the obligation to submit guest details to the Alloggiati Web portal within 24 hours of check-in. Chekin is working with authorities on possible exemptions and advising users to adhere to new legal requirements, ensuring compliance until at least November 2025. Hosts must now revise operational strategies previously reliant on online check-in processes.

🛫 Non-European passengers now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. Recently, the UK Home Office has decided to increase the cost of ETAs by 60%. However, transit passengers at UK airports are exempt from needing an ETA. This decision, welcomed by Abta and its public affairs director Luke Petherbridge, aims to maintain vital air connections despite fears of increased travel and tourism industry tax burdens potentially stifling growth.