TOP NEWS

💸 EU Travel Tech urges the European Commission to penalize Google for alleged dominance in online travel searches through its Google Hotels and Google Flights services. The pressure seeks a fine for anti-competitive practices, claiming Google's integration of services limits competition and harms consumers and travel service providers. Emmanuel Mounier, EU Travel Tech's secretary, calls for equal opportunities for all operators after years of antitrust investigations.

🌾 Italian agro-food sector faces challenges, as under-40 farmers are just 12% of the total, per the EU Commission. Global durum wheat stocks dropped by 25% (average 2018-2022), with a 28% EU deficit, affecting costs for restaurants and bakeries. Fertilizer costs may rise by 13% due to CBAM's pilot phase from October 1, 2023. COMPAG calls for coherent efforts to tackle economic, environmental, and regulatory issues, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and digital agriculture for future competitiveness.

🛫 Arrivals to Italy soared in 2024. Italy saw nearly 146 million international arrivals, with a 55% rise from Asia Pacific, totaling 3.3 million. North America grew by 6.7 million arrivals (+18% vs 2023). EU traffic hit 93.1 million (+13% vs 2023), with Spain leading at 20.6 million. Extra-EU Europe reached 29.7 million (+14%), with the UK at 15.5 million. Middle East traffic declined by 4.8%, despite UAE growth of 10%.

🌍 Volonline Group reports a substantial rise in group travel bookings, indicating a strong trend since 2024. Group flight bookings soared by 192%, MRH Group grew by 189%, Volonline tailor-made services by 63%, and Reisenplatz by 38%. Volonclick's group tour requests increased by 172%, Teorema Vacanze by 77%, and Volonline by 32%. Young travelers seek shared experiences, driven by social interaction and economic benefits. This trend emphasizes making friendships and cost optimization through advantageous tour operator rates.

📅 Nel 2024, Italia al top del turismo congressuale con 635 eventi, prima in Europa e seconda nel mondo, generando oltre 11,7 miliardi di euro e coinvolgendo 27 milioni di partecipanti. Ogni euro investito in eventi ne genera 3. Nel 2025, LVG Hotel ha registrato un incremento del 5% con oltre 200 eventi al Hotel Al Mulino. Hotel Al Mulino e Il Chiostro sono le strutture principali per il segmento MICE.

📱 Roma is digitizing its Roma Card Pass, turning it into a multifunctional, multilingual platform to enhance tourist experiences. Alessandro Onorato, Rome's events and tourism official, announced that the new digital card makes city experiences accessible via smartphones. The card includes access to archaeological sites, museums, public transport, and P.Stop facilities. Massimiliano Smeriglio, cultural official, highlighted updates to cultural access systems for a richer immersion in Rome's beauty.

✈ Asia Pacific arrivals in Italy surged by 55% in 2024, totaling 3.3 million. This contributed to a record 146 million foreign arrivals. North America saw 6.7 million arrivals, up 18% from 2023 and 22% from 2019, fueled by direct flights. EU traffic hit 93.1 million (+13% vs. 2023), with Spain leading at 20.6 million. Extra-EU Europe reached 29.7 million, with the UK at 15.5 million. Notably, Albania surged to 4.5 million (+42%), while the Middle East decreased by 4.8%, though UAE traffic grew by 10%.

🏨 The Venice Times Hotel will undergo rebranding as part of IHG's Vignette Collection by the end of 2025. Located in the historic center of Venice, near Stazione Santa Lucia, it offers 30 rooms, a cocktail bar, a garden, and a restaurant. This marks the third Vignette hotel in Italy after its 2021 launch. IHG aims to enhance its luxury portfolio with this strategic location, expecting strong, year-round demand.

🌏 Nel 2024, le località culturali italiane hanno attratto il 63,2% delle presenze turistiche, con il 57% di turisti stranieri. I musei statali hanno registrato 60,8 milioni di visitatori, generando 382 milioni di euro, con un aumento del 5,4% di visitatori e del 21,7% degli introiti rispetto al 2023. Il Colosseo ha visto un incremento del 20% rispetto al 2023 e del 93,4% rispetto al 2019. Crescita significativa anche per teatri (+11,6%) e concerti (+14,5%).

🎪 Leolandia's tourism grows: 40% of visitors come from Central/Southern Italy or abroad, enhancing park+hotel packages to increase stay duration and customer loyalty. Packages start at 2 days and 1 night, with themed rooms for families. In July, the "Priority Experience" rate is introduced, offering breakfast, priority access with LeoPass, and parking. Leolandia aims for a 20% growth in 2025, boosting park+hotel package demand.