TOP NEWS

🏃 Puglia's President Michele Emiliano highlighted growth in tourism and investment as key to the region's success. In 2024, Puglia recorded over 20 million tourist presences and 5.9 million arrivals, a tripling from 730,000 international visitors in 2015 to 2.3 million in 2024. Internationalization rose from 21.3% to 40.5%, with Bari and Lecce exceeding the European average for foreign visitors. Investments led to a nearly €15 billion increase in GDP over ten years, transforming Puglia's image and promoting economic, technological, and industrial growth. Tourism now accounts for 13% of Puglia's GDP, according to Loredana Capone, President of the Regional Council.

🚢 Naples is leading in the development as a cruise terminal with significant steps forward among Southern Italian ports. In 2023, Italian ports are expected to welcome 15.29 million passengers, marking a 7.5% increase from 2024, with over 5,400 ship calls, up by 5.9%. Naples, in particular, has seen a 21% increase in passengers to 2.1 million and 21.9% more ship calls, overtaking Genoa and ranking second after Civitavecchia. Each cruise passenger in Europe is estimated to spend an average of 130 euros, implying around 273 million euros for Naples alone. Ports like Cagliari, Messina, Palermo, and Civitavecchia also grew, while Livorno, Savona, and Ravenna saw declines. Southern ports outperform Northern ones, with Palermo exceeding one million passengers for the first time in 2025.

🍺 Beer&Food Attraction 2025, the key event for the beer sector, will take place from February 16 to 18 at the Fiera di Rimini by Italian Exhibition Group. Unionbirrai and Assobirra – Confindustria are strategic partners. The Italian Craft Beer Conference, a prominent three-day event organized by Unionbirrai, will focus on production techniques and trends. Top industry players and craft breweries will exhibit, including Anheuser-Busch Inbev Italia and Baladin. The 20th Premio Birra dell’Anno will feature 257 breweries, 2,092 craft beers, and 81 expert judges. The award ceremony is scheduled for February 16. The event also highlights innovative pubs with the Accademia della Birra award by "Il Mondo della Birra" magazine, PUB&FRIENDS AWARDS, and HORECA SOCIAL STARS.

🌍 In 2025, global long-haul travel interest, especially towards Europe, waned as per the European Travel Commission and Eurail Bv's latest barometer. Only 63% of respondents from key foreign markets plan long-haul travel this year, with 44% aiming for Europe, down from 49% in 2024. Main deterrents are economic concerns, with 46% citing affordability. Safety remains the top priority for travelers, with crime rates and political stability as key factors. Multi-destination trips are preferred by 94% planning to visit Europe early in 2025, averaging 3.4 countries per trip. South Koreans lead this trend, targeting 5.2 countries. Spending habits are shifting, with 42% budgeting €100-€200 per day, an increase of 14%, while those spending over €200 a day dropped by 13%. Food and beverages are the top expenditure for 67% of travelers, with Chinese prioritizing shopping (67%) and Americans lodging (55%).

🏖 Astoi reports a 5-6% average revenue increase in 2024, with a peak of 12% during the Christmas and New Year period. Early estimates for 2025 predict a 5-7% growth, with solid winter demand. Summer will be decisive for the annual trend. Top destinations remain the Red Sea, Maldives, the Orient, and East Africa, with Saudi Arabia and Colombia emerging. Organized tourism will focus on the Mediterranean and Italy during summer, preferred by Italian travelers.

🏠 Turismo nel 2025 prevede un aumento di turisti mondiali tra il 3 e il 5%. L'Europa ha visto 747 milioni di arrivi internazionali nel 2024, un incremento del 5% rispetto al 2023. L'Italia punta su destagionalizzazione e nicchie. Nel 2024, il turismo femminile d'avventura cresce, e nel 2025, è previsto un aumento di viaggi tra uomini, specialmente tra millennial (58%) e Gen Z (65%). Si evidenzia un trend verso l'iper-personalizzazione dei viaggi di gruppo, con l'ausilio dell'intelligenza artificiale secondo Euromonitor International. Il 61% dei turisti ricerca vacanze con attività serali o mattutine per evitare il caldo. Si nota l'affermarsi del gig tripping, viaggi incentrati su eventi dal vivo. Le Olimpiadi e Paralimpiadi Invernali Milano-Cortina 2026 potrebbero generare un impatto economico tra 2,3 e 3 miliardi di euro, con oltre 2 milioni di visitatori e una spesa di 154 milioni di euro per soggiorni, secondo studi di La Sapienza

🏠 In 2024, global bookings were valued at $1.6 trillion, projected to reach $1.72 trillion in 2025, with online bookings expected to grow 8-12% annually. By 2026, around 65% of bookings will be made online. Last year, over 75% of airfare spending was online, but airline revenues will grow slower than 10% annually. Hotel bookings exceeded $570 billion in 2024, and online reservations will account for 58% by 2026. About 18% of leisure travelers use generative AI, with 65% using it for destination ideas; this may surge in the next 12 months with 50% of travelers planning to use AI for trip planning.

🏫 In 2024, Trenord carried over 10.5 million passengers to tourist destinations in summer and on weekends, marking a 29% increase from 2023. The partnership with Discovera began with 'Treni della neve' (train+shuttle+skipass) for 2024-25 season, and will continue in 2025 with new offerings. Leonardo Cesarini, Trenord's Commercial Director, highlights the role of rail operators in promoting sustainable mobility. In 2024, 103,000 customers chose Trenord's tourism and major event products, with a 37% increase in 'Gite in treno' itineraries. The most popular are the treno+battello tickets with 44,000 customers and for major events, 40,000 customers chose special tickets, including 33,000 for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza. The historic train in 2024 sold out nine dates from April to November, totaling 1,500 travelers. The 'Treni della neve' continued into 2025 for the third year with Snowit.

🍺 Hospitality 2025, an international fair for the hospitality industry organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, concluded positively with 20,000 professional visitors and over 750 exhibitors, 26% of which were new companies. The event, a hub for Horeca sector professionals, featured over 100 events, 160 speakers, and a strong international presence with 70 buyers from 20 strategic countries. Future-looking themes included innovation, technology, and sustainability. Hospitality is set to celebrate its 50th edition from February 2-5, 2026, in Riva del Garda.