Innovazione

☕ ITA Airways and illycaffè announced a partnership offering illy coffee in ITA Airways' exclusive airport lounges and on board all flights across every service class—economy, premium, and executive. Lounges personalized include "Hangar Lounge" and "Piazza di Spagna" at Rome Fiumicino, and "Piazza della Scala" at Milan Linate. ITA Airways will serve illy's 100% Arabica blend, aiming to make each journey an immersion in Italian excellence. Executives Cristina Scocchia of illycaffè and Andrea Benassi of ITA Airways highlighted the partnership's potential to enhance travel experience with superior, sustainable coffee and Italian quality.

💚 Lefay Resorts offer spa access to non-guests, featuring wellness paths across 4,300+ sqm at Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda and 5,000+ sqm at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti. They offer the Lefay SPA Method and day-use packages for external clients with spa access and body massages. CastelBrando, a historic European castle in Cison di Valmarino (TV), has a 2,000 sqm Princess Spa & Royal Wellness area with Infinity pools and modern saunas following a restyling by Glass 1989.

💻 Urbnx, an Italian startup, launched an online platform last year connecting hotels with remote workers. Hotels offer ideal smart workspaces equipped with ancillary services available throughout the day. Urbnx acts as an intermediary, retaining a commission while enabling users to book workstations easily, even at short notice. The platform partners with major Italian hotel chains like Starhotels Group, Hyatt, Best Western, and Novotel, enhancing the hotel's identity as a versatile guest-oriented facility.

🍷 Researchers from the University of Haifa's Faculty of Maritime Civilizations have studied ancient grape varieties from the arid lands of southern Israel to combat climate change. Dr. Joshua Schmidt and Prof. Guy Bar-Oz led the study, revealing through bioarchaeological research and interviews with modern winegrowers the resilience of these grapes in the Negev desert's harsh climate, contributing to a successful wine economy. They advocate using historical agricultural knowledge and practices to enhance contemporary farming and combat climate change effects.

🍎 Conserve Italia, a food sector leader in fruit juices and vegetable preserves, confirms participation in the 21st edition of Marca by BolognaFiere (pavilion 25, stand 61B/60C). They aim to strengthen collaborations with major retail operators using brands like Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue, and Jolly Colombani. The cooperative group, headquartered in San Lazzaro di Savena (BO), associates over 14,000 Italian agricultural producers, processes over 500,000 tons of produce across 12 facilities (9 in Italy), and reports a consolidated turnover of €1.2 billion for 2023-24. Conserve Italia employs approximately 3,000 people and holds iconic Italian brands.

🔎 Gnv presented the first of four new ships, Gnv Polaris, at the port of Genoa, signaling a renewal of their fleet aimed at setting new standards in quality and sustainability. CEO Matteo Catani emphasized the ship as a symbol of the company's vision. Gnv Polaris is part of a larger fleet renewal that includes Gnv Orion arriving before summer and Gnv Virgo and Gnv Aurora expected in 2026. Gnv plans to invest over 25 million euros by 2025 to reduce environmental impact and enhance efficiency and safety.

💸 With 38 marketing initiatives launched in January, Alidays nearly matched half of its entire strategic initiatives for 2024, closing with a 6% revenue growth from the previous season. Davide Catania and Pietro de Arena of Alidays Travel Experiences highlight their 100-person team's behind-the-scenes work for maximizing service and product potential. The 2025 outlook is promising for the Far East and the US markets, and high-profile niches like South America with Chile and Argentina. AI's integration over the past four years has improved communication strategies, supported by partnerships for roadshows and fam-trips in 2025, and direct contact with travel agents for co-creating digital products and content.

🎭 In Rome, the Rhinoceros Rome boutique hotel, imagined by Alda Fendi and designed by Jean Nouvel, offers 25 apartments and merges ancient and modern elements. It houses the Alda Fendi Foundation – Esperiments, providing an immersive artistic experience. Unique amenities include the electric RhinoRide vehicle, stocked fridges, and hidden stainless-steel kitchens. The hotel features advanced technology like flat-screen TVs, Bang & Olufsen phones, and Nespresso machines. Guests can enjoy Le Restau De La Galerie and a bar with panoramic terrace views.