Innovazione

💾 Ixpira launched a new version of its B2B platform today, designed for travel agencies and hotel partners. CEO Guy Luongo stated 2025 is a year of transformation and growth. The update includes a QR code voucher system to eliminate paper documentation, high-definition images, interactive maps, and certified reviews. A chatbot for real-time customer support will be added mid-February, offering 24/7 personalized assistance, and will later integrate with WhatsApp. The final website version will feature a storytelling section about the company and a blog with exclusive industry insights and previews of special offers.

✈ Qatar Airways extends its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) until 2028. The airline's logo will remain on the 'rouge & bleu' jersey, training apparel, and warm-up shirts across all competitions, including Ligue 1 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. The entire Qatar Airways Group, including Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International Airport, is involved in the collaboration. PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer express enthusiasm for a partnership based on excellence and innovation.

🚢 Royal Caribbean Group announced an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for a new Edge class ship for their Celebrity Cruises fleet. The delivery of the sixth Edge class ship, named Xcel2, is scheduled for 2028. Its sister ship, Celebrity Xcel, is set to debut in November. Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge expressed excitement about expanding the happy vacation spots for travelers worldwide.

🏗️ Visitup launches a free app for exploring Bologna, featuring audioguides and themed tours. The app aims to connect communities with shared interests such as cycling or theater in Bologna. Salvatore Matrisciano, the app creator, emphasizes an intuitive and modern design to enhance tourist experiences in an accessible manner for all languages.

🎮 Fitur 2025, a key event for Artificial Intelligence and digitalization, is happening now until January 26 at Ifema Madrid. Featuring over 60 tech companies, Fitur Know-How & Export focuses on technological solutions for modernizing the sector, data analysis, and Segitturlab innovation, culminating in 'The AI for Tourism Awards 2025'. Fitur Talent, a one-day initiative, brings together HR experts, academic institutions, and industry leaders to discuss talent management, education, and training for the digital tourism sector. The event also showcases a vast array of Spanish provinces, with Italy represented by regions and entities including Enit, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, and several others.

🏨 Lufthansa reopened its renovated Senator and Business Lounge at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2, boasting 1600 sqm, operational daily from 04:15 to 22:00, accommodating up to 350 passengers. The lounge features improved seating, local design elements, and enhanced privacy with panel additions. It offers a buffet, free newspapers, Wi-Fi, a printer, copier, TV, and lockers. Sven Thaler highlighted over 360 weekly Lufthansa Group flights from Heathrow.

🏡 Virtuoso launches the Ultra-High-Net-Worth division for ultra-luxury consulting tailored to 'ultra-rich' clients’ needs. The new unit collaborates with world-renowned luxury brands in jewelry, watches, fashion, art, gastronomy, automotive, and wellness. Shelby Donley, former owner of a Virtuoso agency, leads as general manager.

✈ Representatives from Enac and Ita Airways discussed future objectives and strategies following their recent merger with Lufthansa. Enac President Pierluigi Di Palma and Ita Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart aim to enhance global aviation competitiveness. Rome Fiumicino Airport becomes Lufthansa Group's sixth hub, with projections to surpass 200,000 passengers daily by summer 2025. The merger necessitates new, modern infrastructures to improve operational efficiency and support traffic growth. Di Palma congratulated Eberhart, emphasizing sustainability and intermodality for Ita Airways within the Lufthansa Group.

🏖️ Madrid received 11.2 million visitors in 2024, with 56% being international. The city aims to increase international arrivals to 60% in 2025. Last year's visitor expenditure reached €16.14 billion, with a targeted increase to €17 billion. Tourist counts grew by 5.5% and overnight stays by 4.7%, exceeding 23 million. Notably, visitors from the U.S., Italy, France, U.K., Mexico, Germany, and Portugal led, with Chinese tourists surging by 78.77%. Madrid's 2025 strategic focus includes off-season, decentralization, tourism innovation, and experiential tourism, under the '365 Days of Madrid' initiative. The 'Madrid re-imagined' project will create a digital ecosystem to personalize visitor experiences using AI.

💳 Air Europa has introduced a new technology called Hands In, enabling customers to split the cost of online ticket payments among multiple travelers or different credit cards for flexibility and convenience. The Group Payments system allows users to share transaction costs, with personalized amounts per participant and payment link generation. Multi Card Payments feature supports the use of multiple credit cards, assisting in transactions refused due to insufficient funds. Yago Casasnovas, Air Europa's payment, fraud prevention, and distribution manager, emphasizes customer-centric solutions, aiming to reduce barriers to flying by simplifying shared costs and payment processes. Future plans include adding more payment options such as PayPal.