Innovazione

☕ Caffè Vergnano will launch its holistic and functional coffee initiative by the end of October 2025, starting in 20 select caffetterias across Italy. The project introduces coffee enriched with B vitamins and plant extracts, offering three booster options: "Memoria" for cognitive support, "Difesa" for immunity, and "Energia" for mood. Partnering with DrGaudie and the University of Torino, this innovation aligns with the global functional coffee market projected to grow to $7.71 billion by 2030.

💻 Zucchetti, a leading Italian software company, is showcasing its innovations at the TTG Travel Experience 2025 in Rimini from October 8-10. Key offerings include ZPAY, a fintech service for integrated digital payments, and ZMice, a platform for managing event spaces. The event highlights technology's role in enhancing hospitality operations, with solutions for hotels and tourism, including cloud PMS and digital marketing. Zucchetti ensures secure, compliant transactions, aligning with PSD2 and GDPR standards.

🚪 CISA eSIGNO enhances hospitality by integrating electronic locks, CISA Smart Access app, and CISA AERO cloud for seamless access management. This smart lock system is modular, scalable, and battery-powered (lasting up to six years), fitting existing doors without cabling. It allows for real-time digital credential management, offering contactless guest experiences. Wall readers manage common area access. Benefits include reduced operational complexity, increased security, and improved guest interaction through a smartphone as room key.

🏨 In 2023, in Monastero, Spain, the 19th-century Hotel La Dehesa de Don Pedro won the Ruralka and Fitur awards for excellence in rural hospitality and tourism. The five-star hotel prioritizes sustainability, integrating the Airzone system for energy efficiency, managing air conditioning and radiant floor heating from a single thermostat. With 15 rooms, it reduces energy waste and enables remote control via the Airzone Cloud app, ensuring optimal climate management.

💵 In 2025, 75% of Italians vacationed, spending an average of €1,230 per person. Families spent around €1,400, and travelers to long-haul destinations spent over €3,000. Traditional payment methods dominate, with 58% preferring immediate payment for travel and 70% using "deposit and balance" for all-inclusive packages. The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) option is growing, especially for accommodation, with 26% interested. Luca Lambertini of HeyLight highlights BNPL's role in providing liquidity and enabling travel dreams.

🌍 TikTok, a Chinese multinational, launched Travel Ads using AI-based Smart+ to revolutionize the travel industry. Travel Ads aim to connect users with travel content, maximizing conversion and ROI. Formats include Single Video, Catalog Video, and Catalog Carousel. Accor saw a 9% ROAS increase and a 54% CPC decrease. Melia's ROAS increased by 156% in Spain, 178% in the U.S., and 291% in the U.K. Etihad witnessed a 17% booking increase.

🔑 AGB introduces Domia Stilo, an electronic handle combining technology and elegance for hospitality sectors. Installed without cabling, it supports smartphone and remote access, making it ideal for upgrades. It works standalone or integrates with the Accexi cloud platform. Available in various finishes, it meets diverse needs. AGB will showcase this at the InOut event in Rimini from October 8-10, at stand 048, hall D1.

🍴 Debora and Nicola Massari have expanded their Milan restaurant, CARDINALE, to include evening service. Their innovative dining concept merges Italian culinary tradition with modern techniques, aiming for high-quality yet affordable experiences. Key team members include Lorenzo Benussi, Roberta Cioffi, and Paolo Coglio. The menu offers modern takes on traditional dishes, featuring techniques like low-temperature cooking and ultrasounds. Signature dishes include Manzo all’olio and Vitello Tonnato, while specialty coffees complement the dining experience. CARDINALE aims for nationwide replication.

🏨 In 2025, a SiteMinder study highlights challenges faced by small accommodations globally, where only 16% focus on guest acquisition, while 49% are absorbed in daily operations. In Italy, where non-hotel accommodations thrive, chain hotel penetration is 21.1% for rooms. The sector sees a 3.5% annual increase in non-hotel guests. SiteMinder's revamped Little Hotelier platform aims to support small accommodations with advanced distribution and revenue management tools.

🛒 ChatGPT's new instant checkout feature for ecommerce, launched in October 2025, allows seamless purchases directly from chat conversations. Exclusively available for U.S. users, even on the free version, it supports purchases from Etsy sellers and will soon include Shopify. Currently, only single-item purchases are supported, with plans to expand for multi-item carts and new markets. The system uses the Agentic Commerce Protocol, with sellers handling payments, order fulfillment, and customer service.