Giuridico e Amministrativo

💸 In the USA, travel companies plan workforce cuts ahead of 2025 due to an expected decline in leisure travel among low-income individuals, resulting in decreased hotel sector demand. Room revenue growth projections revised down from 2.6% to 1.8%. Marriott International anticipates over 800 layoffs in Q1, citing poor profit turnout. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings aims to save $300 million by 2026 despite high cruise demand. The U.S. Senate subcommittee criticizes airlines' reliance on ancillary fees, as seen in the report "The Sky's the Limit," which has not improved fares for travelers. The Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan launches an audio-video guide in Italian Sign Language (LIS), including 10 key artworks, free on the website and at info points.

🛫 The Antitrust has extended the deadline for the proceedings on expensive flights in Sicily and Sardinia to December 31, 2025. The preliminary report shows a significant price increase during high-demand periods such as end-of-year festivities, long weekends, and the summer season of 2023. Prices for these routes do not differ from other similar national markets. Stakeholders have until January 15, 2025, to submit further comments.

📍 Stefano Corbari, president of Fiavet Lazio, dissociates from the protest against the new Colosseo customer regulations in Rome, emphasizing ongoing constructive dialogue with Parco. Silvia Rana (GTI Lazio) and Agilo acknowledge accepted proposal inclusions and efforts to combat ticket scalping, while protecting tour guides. Assoguide favors institutional collaboration over protest to improve working conditions for guides.

📍 In anticipation of the 2025 Jubilee in Rome, expected to draw 35 million pilgrims, Italo has optimized its winter season with 30 intermodal services and a fleet of 100 Itabus units. Fabrizio Bona, Commercial Director of Italo, mentioned the acquisition of 50% of the social capital by Msc, focusing on integrated connections by rail, rubber, and sea, with 90% of buses directed to Rome. The network caters to international demand, particularly from Christian countries, with Poland and France leading in Europe, while the U.S. and Latin America also showing strong interest. Italo is engaging in direct dialogues with Msc to facilitate connections with port cities. Marco De Angelis, Sales Director of Italo, acknowledges the challenges of Italian railway network enhancement and Rome’s traffic. Italo is committed to improving ancillary services, including fast online booking and upgrading Italo Club Lounges, with a new Bologna location opening on December 9 and Florence’s renovation due by early 2025. Florence and Naples are identified as alternative entry points to Rome Fiumicino for the Jubilee, with about 250 preferential agencies improving services for Italo Più Corporate Cardholders.

🛫 Over 53% of Europeans plan to increase their travel budget in 2025 compared to 2024, while only 10% anticipate a decrease. Polish travelers are the most optimistic, with 65% expecting to spend more and only 8% expecting to spend less; Germany (62% more, 8% less) and Spain (55% more, 12% less) follow. Italian travelers expect a 45% increase in spending versus 9% planning to cut back. A significant 88% plan at least one leisure trip abroad in 2025, with international and national business travel also on the rise. Sustainable travel matters to 73% of travelers; 81% in Italy and Germany prioritize it. Concerns about overtourism influence 90% of travelers' plans, with 31% avoiding peak season travel, 27% shunning overtouristed destinations, and 22% choosing less known locations. Cost is the main barrier to sustainable travel, but 46% would reconsider their choices if sustainable options were cheaper. Government actions like Germany's rail fare reduction and France's ban on short domestic flights are supported. Whilst European travel is down six percentage points from last year, travel intentions to other parts of the world are up, with Asia, North and Central America, Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand as top destinations.

✈️ By 2050, air traffic demand in Europe is expected to increase by 44% from 2019 levels, as reported by Eurocontrol's Aviation Outlook 2050. However, up to 12% of passenger demand may not be met by European airports due to a severe lack of investment. Aci Europe has identified key actions being taken by airports to manage the capacity crisis, including optimizing existing facilities, implementing new technologies and procedures, better integration of ground operations with air traffic management, and community relations programs. There's an urgent need to update outdated airport slot allocation rules and an emphasis on the role of airport fee modulation to encourage more efficient behavior from users.

💳 In Italy, electronic receipts became mandatory for merchants on January 1, 2022. These receipts are transmitted in real-time to the Revenue Agency and are recorded in a Telematic Register (RT). Digital receipts, on the other hand, are sent to customers via email or QR code, reducing paper use, environmental impact, and costs for merchants. These innovations aim for a more sustainable and practical solution in Italian commerce, enhancing sale traceability and combating tax evasion.

📌 In Florence, Mayor Sara Funaro plans to increase waste tax (Tari) for managers of more than 4 tourist apartments, aiming to fund waste tax reduction for residents. The rental sector, represented by Lorenzo Fagnoni of Property Manager Italia, criticizes the lack of consultation and warns of higher rental costs for tourists. Fagnoni argues tourist rentals produce less waste than residential homes. The administration seeks to address the disparity where large property managers pay the same rate as families.

📌 Booking.com commenced compliance with the Digital Markets Act in the European Economic Area on November 13. The response comes after hotelier associations' accusations. Following its designation as a 'gatekeeper' by the European Commission, Booking Holdings engaged with stakeholders to design conformity solutions, ensuring continuous innovation to meet evolving customer and supplier partner needs.

🛫 Spain's Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda imposes a €179 million fine on low-cost airlines Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian Air, and Volotea for abusive practices concerning hand luggage policies. Ryanair faces the largest portion of the fine at €107,775,777, one year after the case opened. CEO Michael O'Leary announces plans to appeal, claiming the fines violate EU law (Reg 1008/2008) and will be overturned. The European Commission has urged airlines to unify luggage policies, while IATA supports airlines, arguing that charging for hand luggage offers consumer choice.