Innovazione

🍕 Roberta Garibaldi predicts that 2025 will be a year where tradition and technology converge for immersive and sustainable experiences in Italian enogastronomy tourism. Ten trends are noted: enriching travel experiences with food (15.3%), increase in lesser-known rural destinations (8.8%), enotourism evolution, hyper-personalization, authentic local events, social and TV series influence, AI in travel planning, exponential growth in food & beverage in hospitality, rural landscape enjoyment with 59.3% tourists prioritizing it, and the emergence of Gastrodiplomacy.

🚂 Trenitalia invests 850 million euros for 100 new regional trains by 2025, in line with FS Italiane's Strategic Plan 2025-2029, targeting over 430 million travelers. By 2024, 540 new trains were delivered, totaling 875 modernized trains. By 2027, 80% of the regional fleet will be renewed with 1,061 new trains at a cost of seven billion euros. Automatic compensation for delays introduced for digital regional ticket holders, with digital ticket sales reaching 43% in 2024. The 'X-GO' program has been improved for easier point accumulation, and the 'Viaggi in Regionale' initiative, in partnership with Lonely Planet, highlights five scenic train routes. For the 2025 Jubilee, Trenitalia launched new routes and a travel book for pilgrims.

📱 Meta will end WhatsApp support for select Android smartphones, released between 2012 and 2013, from January 1. Affected brands include Samsung, Motorola, HTC, and LG, specifically phones with Android 5 or older, due to inadequate security standards.

🛀 In the hospitality industry, self check-in enhances guest security and operational efficiency, particularly with the rise of online bookings. It streamlines the check-in process, often using access codes or digital keys, and positively impacts guest reviews. Benefits include increased efficiency, flexibility, and reduced operational costs. Chekin provides an example of a platform that simplifies check-in and ensures safety by integrating booking management and guest communication. It also allows for identity verification, adding a layer of security. Successful implementations of self check-in have led to a 30% increase in guest satisfaction in boutique hotels and reduced operational times for vacation rentals. Chekin offers a 14-day free trial, with no credit card required, promising an 87% time saving and increased earnings per booking. 🛎️

📝 Ignoring guest communication, inefficient check-in processes, poor review management, inadequate booking management, and not using the right technology are common vacation rental management mistakes. Chekin offers solutions like automated guest messaging, online check-in, centralized booking and communication management, and data analysis tools. A 14-day free trial of Chekin is available without a credit card. Implementing these solutions can save up to 87% of the time and increase profits from each booking.

🏂 Cortina is preparing for the upcoming Olympics by enhancing its bus service to ski lift facilities starting this season. Marco Zardini, president of the consortium, stated the initiative aims for a coordinated transport system emphasizing sustainability. From December 24, the Skibus network will operate fully, with increased frequency to every 15 minutes during peak times. Real-time bus tracking will be implemented using QR codes at all stops, and new buses will feature a snowflake icon and visible Skibus branding.

🏖️ Turisanda, founded in 1924 in Milan, is Italy's oldest travel brand with a Forbes feature. In the 1950s, it expanded intercontinentally to Japan, the USA, and South America. By the 1970s, it was leading in Egypt cruises, introducing Seychelles, Mauritius, and Maldives as destinations. In the 1980s, Turisanda modernized with software and launched charters. The company joined Alpitour Group in 2018. General manager Pier Ezhaya emphasizes sensory stimulation and alternative experiences in travel.

📍 "AroundMEny – Vivere l’Italia a New York" is a cultural project launched by "Per Le Strade di New York" and "GlobalMedia". The initiative, starting February, introduces a web platform to explore Italian influence in NYC through augmented reality. Manuela Biondi, CEO, highlights experiences like Tazio Nuvolari's Alfa Romeo in the Vanderbilt Cup and nods to Diabolik, Mike Bongiorno, Marilyn Monroe, Ghostbusters, and King Kong. Future plans include expansion to Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, and Latin America.

🎥 Norwegian Cruise Line upgrades Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway, featuring first-at-sea cinema-restaurant 'Silver Screen Bistro' on Breakaway and new outdoor 'Horizon Park'. Bliss' renewal from January 17, 2025, includes new cabins like Premiere Owner’s Suites and dining options like Cagney’s Steakhouse. Breakaway, from February 19, 2025, adds 'The Stadium' for family games and the Vibe Beach Club expansion. New routes include the Caribbean, Europe, and Bahamas; More At Sea™ package offers open bar, premium dining, and fast Wi-Fi.

🍗 MasterChef Italia's 14th edition concluded its Live Cooking phase, leading into the intense competition with Mystery Boxes, Invention Tests, Skill Tests, external challenges, and Pressure Tests. The show airs on Sky every Thursday at 21:15, streamed on NOW, and available on demand. The FantaMasterChef fantasy game, powered by Garofalo, launches at 10:00 on December 20, 2024, at https://fanta-masterchef.it. Players predict show outcomes to earn points and badges, with weekly updates and challenges until the last episode to win based on the highest score in the General Classification. Developed by FantaSanremo's creators with Wonty Media, Appfactory, and Endemol Shine Italy's commercial team.