Tendenze del mercato

🍫 Cacao prices soared to $8,402/ton in June 2025, up from $4,443 in early 2024. Despite a drop from January's $10,710 record, consumers in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy faced an 18.1% annual price increase. Poor harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, along with supply chain issues, hit small farmers hard. Italian chocolate market penetration rose to 93% in 2025, with families averaging 14.2 chocolate purchases annually, spending over €72.

🍷 In 2025, one in three Americans is expected to participate in Dry January, with 15% opting for Damp January. 48% plan to drink less over the year. In Europe, interest among Gen Z is declining; in Italy, abstention dropped from 26% to 16%. The UK sees Dry January as symbolic, shifting towards year-round moderation. This trend is supported by no and low alcohol alternatives, aiming at continuous moderation rather than temporary abstinence.

🍴 Roma vs Milano in 2025: Traditional dishes like Carbonara dominate in Rome, while Milan embraces international flavors, with 50,000 orders analyzed by Foorban. In Rome, top dishes include Lasagne alla Bolognese; in Milan, Tajine di pollo with couscous leads. Foorban's 700 smart fridges across 5 regions serve 70,000 unique clients. AI predicts 2026 trends: soups, balanced single dishes, pasta, plant proteins, and superfoods. Alberto Cavaleri highlights the demand for diverse, nutritious lunch options.

🌍 Sicilia's tourism booms in 2025 with record numbers, exceeding 20 million visits in the first nine months and a 15% rise in foreign tourists. A total increase of 11.9% in visits over 2024 is predicted, surpassing 7 million arrivals. The appeal lies in winter attractions like cultural events and Christmas markets, drawing visitors from Germany, France, and the UK. Average stays grew from 3.2 to 3.8 days, with higher family spending focused on cultural and gastronomic experiences.

📈 Unioncamere reports a 42% rise in short-term rental businesses in Italy over five years, reaching 44,801 units by September 30, 2025, while traditional hotels decreased by 5.2% to 29,199. Rome, Naples, Milan, and Florence saw notable rental growth, with Naples up 98.1%. Restaurant businesses grew by 2.3% to 159,494, with significant increases in Sicily (+10.5%), Sardinia (+8.3%), and Calabria (+6.0%). The hotel decline was most marked in Lazio (-13.3%) and Marche (-12.9%).

🌎 Omio's 2026 travel trends highlight a shift toward 'secondary' cities over capitals. Featured destinations include Salamanca, Marbella, Monopoli, and Bari. This trend, detailed in Omio's "Report NowNext" with YouGov, reflects travelers seeking affordability, character, and local identity. Veronica Diquattro notes ease of access via multimodal transport as a key factor. Top cities also include Anversa, Dubrovnik, and Annecy, emphasizing a broader European appeal for city breaks.

📅 Circa 6,5 milioni di italiani viaggeranno o proseguiranno le vacanze per il ponte dell’Epifania, con un milione che partirà specificamente in questo periodo, secondo Tecnè per Federalberghi. Il 94,9% resterà in Italia, mentre solo il 5,1% andrà all'estero. Il 34,1% sceglierà hotel o villaggi turistici, il 31,6% B&B e il 13,4% rifugi alpini. Bernabò Bocca sottolinea l'importanza del turismo di prossimità e la soddisfazione per le festività natalizie.

🏆 Coppia UEFA 2026 dall'11 giugno al 19 luglio si svolgerà in USA, Messico e Canada, influenzando il turismo. L'interesse è aumentato del 70% nel 2025. Viaggiatori e professionisti devono pianificare attentamente per 16 città ospitanti. Nonostante le sfide logistiche e le distanze, l'evento sarà fondamentale per il mercato turistico.

📅 2025, Italy: Advance bookings increased significantly across the tourism sector, with over 70% made 60–90 days ahead, reflecting a shift towards quality experiences. CEO Domenico Pellegrino cites psychological factors. Bluvacanze notes technology boosts this trend. CDSHotels saw a 100% rise in early bookings. Luxury travelers book 122 days in advance due to limited availability. Explora Journeys reports bookings over 12 months ahead. Cirium projects air travel's load factor will drive advance bookings, with less than 17 seats free per 100 sold.

🌍 Zagabria will host the prestigious M&I Express in 2025, highlighting Croatia's rise in business travel. Croatia's success is attributed to its connectivity with major European hubs, cultural richness, and innovative event facilities. Key venues include the Šibenik Convention Centre with 1,500 seats and Dubrovnik's Valamar Lacroma with 1,200 seats. In spring 2026, a €200 million investment will open the Pical Resort in Parenzo, featuring Istria's largest congress center with 1,200 seats.