Innovazione

🚀 By 2040, air passenger demand is expected to reach 8 billion according to IATA projections. Sita's Passenger Insights 2024 report shows airline users consider technology essential, adopting digital air travel via smartphones - the new "remote control of travel." 70% are comfortable having a Digital Travel Credential on their devices, while 64% desire shorter airport queues through biometrics, despite half expressing data privacy concerns. Travelers have an average comfort level of 6.7/10 with biometrics. Sustainability is also a priority, with passengers willing to pay 11% more on ticket costs to offset carbon emissions, take slower or lighter flights to reduce environmental impact.

🏨 In Ferrara, Hotel Annunziata, part of Consorzio Visit Ferrara, has adopted an AI-powered chatbot to welcome visitors and provide real-time information. The AI chatbot, designed by AI Kosmo as a "digital concierge," responds to FAQs about the hotel, stay, and local tips. It allows staff to focus on complex guest needs. Users can interact with the chatbot via the hotel's website for immediate room availability and booking. The hotel replaced all QR codes with one chatbot-dedicated QR code, streamlining access to hotel information and local recommendations.

📚 The Italian version of the 'Experience Abu Dhabi Experts' e-learning platform targets industry professionals to impart skills for creating memorable experiences in Abu Dhabi. The platform contains specialized content organized into nine modules, covering Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage, iconic monuments, and lodging options. Successful completion of the training awards a certificate, officially recognizing the participant as an ‘Experience Abu Dhabi Expert’. Originally available in English, German, French, Mandarin, Russian, Hindi, Arabic, and now Italian, the platform aims to be accessible in 13 languages globally.

📖 Ristoratori using digital menus from leggimenu.it, founded in early 2023 by Alessio Marzo and Chiara Ercoli, observed a 10% revenue increase. The experiment at Officine Ibba in Rome served over 1,100 covers, yielding €24,000 with a €2,200 surplus. Nearly 30,000 Italian restaurants use the platform. Customer satisfaction hit 90%, while only 3% were dissatisfied. The digital menu's features could potentially add €26,000 annually per restaurant.

🍹 "Spirit of Savoia" is a contest for Italian cocktail bars running from September 21 to December 21, inviting participants to create unique drinks using Savoia's vegan-certified aperitif wines. The challenge features SAVOIA Americano Rosso and SAVOIA Orancio. Entries will be included in the Difford’s Guide and the winner will be decided by SAVOIA's Global Team in early 2025, with an exclusive masterclass or guest bartending with Marc Alvarez. Consumers can win a 150 euro voucher by tagging @casa.savoia on Instagram.

🍫 Valsoia, an Italian company, is launching "Valsoia Zero," a palm oil-free, no added sugar, plant-based hazelnut and cocoa spread in October 2024. Developed to meet the health-conscious and environmentally sustainable demands of consumers, Valsoia Zero is dairy-free, catering to those with milk allergies or intolerances. This product aligns with the growing trend for plant-based spreads, as seen with the market's positive reception and rising demand for such products. CEO Andrea Panzani emphasizes the blend of flavor with health and environmental consideration.

🍔 Smash Burger, an innovative hamburger preparation method, has gained popularity in Italian kitchens offering a unique culinary experience. SALOMON FoodWorld has launched its own Smash Burger with Smash-Ready™ technology ensuring perfect crispness and intense flavor. These burgers cook in just 2 minutes thawed and 4 minutes from frozen, with an 80-gram meat patty allowing cost optimization. The Potato Bun complements the Smash Burger, enhancing flavors and textures. This frozen product helps restaurants reduce food waste and increase revenue with flexible planning and culinary innovation opportunities.

🍹 On September 25, Mercoledì, at 11:30, Antica Distilleria Petrone launched an underwater aging experiment with limoncello off Castel dell’Ovo. After pioneering underwater aging with Elixir Falernum in 2021, they submerged bottles of limoncello 15 meters deep in Santa Lucia harbor, to be studied post-recovery by Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. The social project involves youth from Napoli's Penal Area and is supported by multiple organizations including the Comune di Napoli and Marina Militare.

🏆 Google is beta-testing a digital passport feature in Google Wallet, announced by Alan Stapelberg, the project manager. This new type of digital ID will allow U.S. passport holders to upload their passport to Google Wallet and use it at enabled TSA checkpoints in airports.