Innovazione

🍷 Fondazione Edmund Mach researchers discovered the kokumi effect in white wine, which enhances palate pleasure by interacting with a calcium-sensitive protein receptor, increasing perceived taste, fullness, and complexity. This effect, known since the 1980s from Japanese research on umami, involves substances that alone don't contribute to flavor but enhance the intensity of other natural wine compounds. The study analyzed 15 Trento Doc samples from 5 vintages, confirming the presence of these compounds, originating from yeasts. The next step is to explore how production technologies and yeast choices can intensify these sensations.

📌 Glasgow Airport launched an AI-based digital assistant from Hello Lamp Post to enhance travel experience during the festive season. AI technology is now operational airport-wide, providing real-time information and improved navigation 24/7. An initial accessibility trial earlier this year with Connected Places Catapult showed a 50% reduction in customer service staff inquiries. The digital assistant, accessible via QR codes at specific locations, acts as a personal concierge, offering flight updates, navigation assistance, and personalized support. Last year, Glasgow Airport welcomed over 110,000 passengers with reduced mobility, receiving the highest rating from the Civil Aviation Authority's annual accessibility report. Jamie Loudon praised the collaboration as beneficial for implementing cutting-edge technology across the airport. Tiernan Mines celebrated the full launch of their platform following the successful trial.

☕ La San Marco, a 104-year-old Friulian company, partners with the Associazione Maestri dell’Espresso Napoletano for an educational project targeting six Campanian schools to train new generations of baristas. The program offers three sessions per institute, combining theoretical and practical lessons, including latte art and a practical competition with a La San Marco professional machine as the prize. Roberto Nocera, General Manager, emphasizes the project's commitment to preserving Italian coffee excellence and supporting youth professional development. The initiative is backed by the Comune di Napoli and the Regione Campania.

📚 Osservatorio CIRFOOD DISTRICT, supported by prestigious research institutes, released "eBook CIBO2050," exploring future food scenarios influenced by demographics, technology, health, and sustainability towards 2050. The work of 15 experts aims to understand how food, products, and human interaction will evolve, emphasizing "Food as Medicine" and less animal protein consumption. Future eating habits are expected to focus on sustainability and technology, with personalized diets and transparent, traceable food sources for 10 billion people by 2050.

🔒 Smart locks enhance security and operations in hospitality and short-term rentals, offering keyless access, remote management, and integration with reservation systems like Chekin. They provide convenience for guests and operational efficiency for owners by automating check-in processes and improving customer satisfaction. Owners can manage access in real-time, create temporary codes, and automate communication via Chekin, mitigating risks associated with traditional keys. Chekin also offers a 14-day free trial.

🏨 Piazza Hotels, founded in Rimini in 1989, has a portfolio of 10 properties with 1,059 rooms as of 2023. The group manages 12 structures in 2024 and aims for 14 by 2025. In 2023, they achieved an EBITDA increase of 23% to €2.25 million and a 13% growth in EBIT to nearly €1.4 million. The room revenue alone surpassed €13 million, with additional earnings from food & beverage (€3 million), meetings and events (€600,000), and Spa (€350,000). Piazza Hotels is also focusing on strategic investments, including €150,000 in technological transition and committing half of the €4 million for the Galleria Savoia project in Rimini. Future plans include opening two new properties annually, with an upscale hotel in Sicily in 2025 and another in Parma in 2026.

📍 Ami Assistance and Viaggigiovani entered a new agreement effective from January 1, allowing Viaggigiovani's customers to activate a special Amitravel insurance policy. The policy includes medical expenses, assistance, and a trip cancellation guarantee with no deductible in case of hospitalization, including pre-existing illnesses as potential cancellation reasons. Nicola Moltrer, owner of Viaggigiovani.it, highlights the unique travel experience this insurance can offer. DOC 24, a service within the policy, provides 24/7 access to a doctor via phone or videoconference worldwide, with features to record medical history in English and monitor vital signs through a smartphone camera. Giuseppe Maria Cicconi, Commercial Director for the North East area of Ami Assistance, expresses enthusiasm for the partnership that expands their national partner network and promotes their major product, the collective Amitravel policy.

📍 Air Europa, focusing on expansion, plans to add three new Boeing 787 Dreamliners to its fleet in early 2025 for long-haul flights. Additionally, the airline is expected to soon receive the first of ten Boeing 737 Max aircraft as part of a previous agreement with AerCap, initiating a fleet modernization for short to medium-haul flights. Initial delivery of the B737 Max was initially anticipated in early 2024.

☕ - "Report" aired on Rai 3 on Dec 15, 2024, spotlighted Passalacqua, a Neapolitan roasting tradition innovator since the 1950s. Passalacqua recently received the "Torrefazione Tradizione" Award from the Guide of Italian Coffees and Roasteries, acknowledging their innovation while respecting tradition. The company's CFO, Francesco Lo Vasto, explained that dark roasting, which can reduce coffee weight by 20% compared to 15-16% for light roasting, is preferred for espresso in Italy, where 99% of coffee extraction is done by this method. Passalacqua serves bars like Ciro a Mergellina and Bar Mexico, with daily sales reaching up to 20 kg, equivalent to 2000-2800 cups, particularly during peak morning and post-lunch hours.

🍼 Since December 13, Alpro has launched the Blue Villain Alproccino, a plant-based beverage available in over 50 top Italian bars through the Alpro Top Bar program. This limited edition drink features a blue color from natural spirulina, with a 100% growth in the out-of-home channel, tapping into the trend where 1 in 2 Italians consume plant-based alternatives. The beverage is part of a vision to offer plant-based options in every bar, with the campaign ending on February 28.