Innovazione

💻 Alidays CEO Davide Catania presents interactive travel planning platform's latest tech advancements to agencies in Central and Southern Italy at Circolo Rari Nantes in Naples. Utilizing AI, the platform AlyDa provides travel solutions considering clients' preferences, from music to food, culture, and nature, generating options in seconds, complete with a QR code for easy client communication. A new feature for creating trip content, soon available to all partners, is announced. Additionally, a new Guided Tours catalog for small groups of 2-14 people has been released. Despite slow U.S. bookings due to the 'Trump effect,' Asia receives positive booking responses, as confirmed by Catania. Olga Mazzoni, CEO of Thema Nuovi Mondi, shares insights on the U.S. at the Alidays event.

💳 Trenord introduces 'Digital Gate' at Milan Central station for 100% digital purchases, offering cashless payments through mobile apps like PayPal or Satispay. Travelers can now buy train and Malpensa Express tickets at this new counter, with the service expanding in the coming months to include additional digital customer services. Tickets can also be sent via WhatsApp.

📍 Centara Hotels & Resorts targets expansion and renovation with over €408 million to be invested over the next three years. The European roadshow begins in Milan, hinting at potential investments in Italy, Germany, and Denmark. Jurairat Mongkolwongsiri, VP Sales, expects Italian guests to rise from 4% to the fifth-largest market, aided by new properties in the Maldives: Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives. With an estimated revenue of €422.4 million in 2025, Centara aims to upgrade its 92 hotels across 11 Asian and Arabian Peninsula locations to a luxury status, offering more than 20,000 rooms with an average occupancy rate of 77%. The Centara Grand Hotel Osaka and Centara Reserve in Koh Samui are highlighted, with more announcements anticipated at the TTG Travel Experience in Rimini.

💰 Veronica Diquattro, president of Consumer & Supply Business in Europe for Omio, announced reaching 1 billion users and a partnership with Navitime Japan Co., Ltd. to sell European tickets. Omio's user base grew 50% year over year in 2024. The platform launched 175,000 unique connected journeys and focuses on interlining and multimodality, combining four modes of transport. Investments are being made in enhancing user experience, particularly on mobile apps (80% of bookings), and integrating Artificial Intelligence in internal processes and customer interactions, with plans to expand into pre-booking and chatbots like Chat GPT. Omio maintains internal control of data for accuracy.

🚑 Emirates, in partnership with Parsys Telemedicine, is investing over $2.4 million to equip 300 aircraft with advanced onboard telemedicine stations. These stations enable high-definition videoconferences, remote health evaluations, secure data transmission, and 12-lead Telecardia electrocardiograms. The cabin crew can relay vital signs to Emirates' 24/7 Ground Medical Support in Dubai for immediate assistance during in-flight emergencies. The medical kit includes a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, and ECG.

🏨 In 2025, hotel managers are advised on overbooking strategies: intentional overbooking to counter no-shows and unintentional due to system errors. Effective management includes integrated booking systems to prevent accidents, clear communication policies, offering upgrades or nearby accommodations, and exceptional customer service for affected guests. Overbooking, when managed well, can maximize occupancy and revenues while maintaining a hotel's reputation. Chekin offers a free 14-day trial to streamline hotel operations.

🍺 Red Bull released limited spring editions in the United States on March 3, 2025, featuring Red Bull Spring Edition Grapefruit & Blossom, Red Bull Pink Edition Wild Berries, and Red Bull Sea Blue Edition Juneberry, each also available sugar-free. The Grapefruit & Blossom is the first-ever spring edition launched in the U.S. The new flavors are designed to evoke spring energy and are currently exclusive to the U.S. market. A Bloomin' Grapefruit Mocktail recipe using Red Bull Spring Edition Grapefruit & Blossom was also introduced.

☕ At SIGEP, Fabio Russo interviewed Carmen Stanziola, the Commercial Manager of Dalla Corte, showcasing their range of professional coffee machines including the Icon and Zero Barista for the Horeca channel. La Piccola Studio, a smaller-scale machine offering professional quality coffee, suitable for home, residences, and restaurants, was also highlighted. Dalla Corte plans to unveil new coffee machine innovations at the Host event. Horecanews.it regularly updates on the Horeca sector.

🏨 By 2025, hotel managers in Italy must leverage online booking portals to increase visibility and simplify reservations. Platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Hotels.com, Trip.com, and Lastminute.com offer diverse markets and advanced tools. Employing a diversified strategy and optimizing listings with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and updated services, including COVID-19 safety protocols, is crucial. Technologies like virtual tours and AI-based personalized recommendations enhance user experience and competitiveness. ????️

🍕 Italians prioritize healthy eating and are willing to pay more for healthy products, yet 51% choose the lowest-priced food services. The Rapporto Coop 2024 highlights this duality. Businesses respond by investing in training; 75.2% of Italian companies plan to do so between 2022-2024, focusing on technical skills (96.9%) and new business areas (81%). The Molino Magri Academy hosts Innovation Day on March 17 in Pompeii, offering professional growth opportunities with experts covering neuromarketing, nutrition, cost management, and more to address market challenges.