TOP NEWS

📖 Founded in 1997 in Brescia by Iginio Massari and Vittorio Santoro, CAST Alimenti is a renowned culinary school known for its intensive 4-month courses with a 4-month company internship in Pastry and Cuisine. Joining Plena Education in 2020, it expanded its offerings to include two bachelor's degrees in Food & Hospitality in English (Teesside University-recognized) and triennial in Cuisine & Hospitality, focusing on foreign languages. CAST Alimenti will participate in Sigep from January 18-22, 2025. The school boasts 21 world titles in gastronomic disciplines and is part of Plena Education, an educational hub with over 4000 students across various institutes.

📈 The "Rapporto Coop Winter Edition 2025" reveals an Italy grappling with uncertainties but also adapting: over 40% of Italians view 2025 with "concern," 25% with "insecurity," yet 52% maintain a positive outlook. The report indicates a modest +1.3% expected growth in GDO sales from 2024, with 71% of Italians preferring home cooking, and 85% of GDO managers predicting growth in store brand (MDD) food products. Economic disparities affect food preferences, with wealthier individuals opting for healthy foods, while lower-income families turn to MDD for savings.

📊 DalterFood Group, a leader in the dairy and cheese sector, released its third Sustainability Report in 2023. Despite economic and environmental challenges, such as the Ukraine war and climate change, the company achieved an 8% increase in turnover and a 87% increase in training hours. In 2023, DalterFood Group's turnover reached €159 million, marking an 8% growth from €146 million in 2022, with 85% generated abroad. The company operates in 29 countries, employs 181 people (a 5% increase from 2022), and serves over 1,550 clients. They secured a Bronze Medal from EcoVadis for sustainability with a 52% score, reaching the 55th percentile of companies in the network. They aim to reduce environmental impact, evidenced by stable electricity consumption at 0.67 kWh/kg, reduced natural gas from 0.12 to 0.11 m³/kg, and diesel from 0.005 to 0.004 l/kg. DalterFood Group continues to focus on sustainable practices, including animal welfare, where 100% of farms are certified for animal welfare, and investing in the local community and mountain dairies.

✈️ In 2025, the travel sector is shaped by low-cost evolution, premiumisation, online travel, apps, and personalization, as per GlobalData's "Key Themes in Travel & Tourism 2025" report. The travel landscape will differ from 2019 with AI, cybersecurity, and ESG 2.0 being significant. Digital presence and data collection for one-to-one personalization are essential for competitiveness. Online travel platforms and apps offer comprehensive services and use algorithms and AI for personalized recommendations. Low-cost and premium offerings coexist, satisfying different consumer segments and influencing industry standards.

🏠 In Italy, by the end of 2024, the hospitality sector sees a 4% increase in online bookings, totaling 21 billion euros out of 37.5 billion euros in business. Over 70% of sector workers are on fixed-term or seasonal contracts, highlighting employment precarity. Formazione Alberghiera, founded in Verona in 2018, is the only school offering over 3,000 hours of in-company training annually, emphasizing practical skills alongside the adoption of digital and sustainable practices in tourism.

📊 Istat reports stable general inflation at +1.3% year-on-year in December, with a slowdown in grocery cart growth to +1.9% from the previous month's +2.3%. Federdistribuzione, representing over 60 years, unites businesses in Modern Distribution with a turnover of over €80 billion, 52%+ of the sector's total, 18,400+ sales points, and over 220,000 employees, playing a key role in national economic development.

🏰 Castello Sonnenburg-Castel Badia, located in San Lorenzo di Sebato, Val Pusteria, is being transformed into an ultra-luxury hotel by the Gasser family, with management entrusted to Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana. Scheduled to open next autumn, the renovation represents an investment of over €30 million. The revamped property will feature 29 rooms, a spa, and a restaurant following Borgo Egnazia's hospitality concept, aiming to make Plan de Corones a luxury destination within 5 years.

🏠 In Italy, Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè addresses short-term rental regulations emphasizing dialogue and no punishment. Controls for the mandatory National Identification Code (Cin) have begun. Rome leads with 44,245 short-term rental properties, 77.8% Cin compliant, followed by Venice (30,452 properties, 85.63% compliant) and Milan (24,925 properties, 78.36% compliant). Non-display of Cin can result in fines ranging from €800 to €8,000.

🚢 Tui Group, under CEO Sebastian Ebel, transforms business model focusing on enhancing and diversifying travel package offerings. Aims to expand international presence and profit margins, emphasizing flexible and dynamic travel packages as core product. Plans growth in Eastern Europe, America, and Asia, catering to global consumer travel trends and emerging preferences.