Giuridico e Amministrativo

🚪 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.

🍾 Comitato Italiano per la Tutela del Piede Franco holds a tour from January 22-24 in Naples, exploring pre-phylloxera vineyards with experts from France, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland, and Italian regions. The event, co-organized with Le Francs de Pied from Montecarlo, aims to protect valuable "franche di piede" (phylloxera-free) vines. A January 23 workshop at Parco Borbonico del Fusaro will discuss vineyard conservation. The committee, founded in April 2024 and led by Silvano Ceolin, partners with Le Francs de Pied on international meetings.

📅 Hartsfield Jackson International in Atlanta tops global airport rankings for the 5th consecutive year in 2024, with nearly 63 million passengers, marking a 2% increase from 2023, yet 1% below 2019 levels. No changes in the top 10 until the 7th place, as Guanzhou Bayun climbs 3 spots with a 12% increase from 2023, while Shanghai Pudong jumps from 15th to 9th with a 29% rise. Denver closes the top 10. Dubai leads international traffic, followed by London. Seoul and Singapore rise in ranks, as Paris Charles De Gaulle and Amsterdam fall by 7% and 3% from 2019, respectively. In Europe, Heathrow, Istanbul, and Paris dominate, with Munich overtaking Gatwick for 9th. Rome's Fiumicino holds 8th place with over 30 million passengers, witnessing the largest capacity increase of 21% from 2023, and 9% above 2019.

🍪 Casa Optima, an Italian group active in over 150 countries with eight brands, showcased at SIGEP 2025 in Rimini through four stands across almost 2000 square meters. MEC3's stand offered a taste journey from 'Arabian Nights' to Pokémon, Paw Patrol, and Dinosaur Park flavors, including gluten-free options. Among their hits was the Dubai Chocolate with Kataifi and pistachio, and a new line of 11 Oriental Tales references. Giuso introduced Fruttea with 70% fruit content, a Sicilian Cannoli gelato, and Kit Babà al Rum. Pernigotti Maestri Gelatieri Italiani launched Kit Ciocco Regalo, a chocolate delight with collectible soccer player figurines and the Ciocco Cup. Modecor presented MODECORARE decorations and new food printers, supported by Chef Ernst Knam and Pastry Chef Omar Busi. Casa Optima at SIGEP 2025: Hall Ovest, Pavilion C7.

💳 Wamo and Adyen have teamed up to offer hotels and travel agencies a free POS with no transaction fees, starting in the Italian market, with plans to expand to other markets. Wamo allows business owners to manage staff expenses, internal payments, and foreign exchange services on one platform, along with Visa debit card usage for company expenses and 1% cashback on those transactions. The wamo terminal is already compliant with the latest Budget Law, mandating integration between electronic payment systems and cash registers by January 1, 2026.

🔥 In Italy, property managers must comply with updated fire safety regulations for short-term rentals, including installing fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors in each property. Fire extinguishers must be accessible in a common area and of adequate capacity for the property size and fire risks. Carbon monoxide detectors are mandatory in rooms with combustion appliances. Equipment must be certified to European standards and undergo regular maintenance checks. Documentation of safety inspections and equipment certifications is crucial for compliance. These measures aim to improve safety for both tourists and residents.

💰 In 2024, Italian municipalities collected over €1 billion from the tourist tax for the first time, a 27% increase from 2023. The National Observatory Jfc predicts a 17% growth in 2025, expecting revenues to reach €1.18 billion. Rome alone contributed nearly €287 million, followed by Milan and Florence with about €7 million each, and Venice with €4 million. Rimini topped beach destinations with €14 million. The year-end holidays brought in €53 million, with New Year's Eve generating €6.8 million.

🏖 Italy's Ministry of Tourism extended the deadline for applications for high-level tourism training project funding to February 14, 2025. Applications must be submitted exclusively via certified email to fondoformazione.mitur@pec.aci.it, aiming to establish a National Strategic Hub for High-Level Tourism Training.

📍 In 2024, Cirium records a record number of airplane seats offered at nearly 6 billion (5.85 billion), a 6% increase from 2023 and 2% more than the 2019 record of 5.75 billion. However, the number of flights dropped by 5% to 36.4 million compared to pre-pandemic figures, with U.S. carriers dominating the top four spots—American Airlines leads, followed by Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines. Ryanair takes an unexpected fifth place. Asia has the busiest air routes, with the Seoul-Gimpo-Jeju route offering over 15 million seats annually.