TOP NEWS

🏨 Global hotel investments hit $57.4 billion in 2024, a 7% increase from 2023. Demand reached 4.8 billion overnight stays, up by 102 million. The sector adapts to changing travel habits and consumer preferences. The 2025 Global Hotel Investment Outlook by JLL predicts a 15-25% investment growth over 2024, with the Americas leading, followed by Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Luxury remains most attractive, especially in urban markets with high entry barriers. Italy invested 1.7 billion euros in 2024, with significant transactions in Rome since 2019. Claudia Bisignani of JLL highlights significant sector transformation, expecting continued resilience and attractiveness in 2025. Lifestyle hotels emerge, generating 40% of revenue from non-room services, capitalizing on the 'experience economy'.

🎉 In Taormina, the San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons hotel, unveils the The White Lotus Bar for the 2025 season, celebrating the TV series' third season available on Sky and Now. Chef Massimo Mantarro of the Michelin-starred Principe Cerami restaurant introduces a customizable culinary journey with a menu changing every 10 days. The hotel also announces a four-hand dinner on April 15 with Rodolfo Lavrador, and the reopening of Ristorante Rosso in March, alongside the poolside Anciovi restaurant, offering Mediterranean and Sicilian specialties.

🎭 During the Federcongressi&eventi Convention in Naples, the FCE Awards were presented, recognizing members' efforts in innovating the congress and events sector for over 10 years. The awards—FCE Award Creatività, Innovazione, and Sostenibilità—were judged by 30 young people from the Progetto Mentore. Nume Plus won the Creativity award for MedStory AI, an interactive storytelling engine. AIM Group International clinched the Innovation award for the FAST Heroes project, reaching 80 million contacts and engaging 5,400 children. Four Points by Sheraton Catania received the Sustainability award for its efforts since 2017, obtaining 3 new ISO certifications. On Stage won the FCE Members Choice 2025 for the 50th anniversary event of Pedrollo, celebrated in a 6,750 square meter tent for 2,000 attendees. Marilena Ferraroni was awarded Best Networker. (For more information: www.federcongressi.it)

🏖️ Italy's tourism reached a new record in 2024 with 458.4 million presences, a +2.5% increase from the previous year. Italy surpassed France, securing the second spot in Europe after Spain for tourist numbers. Foreign presences exceeded 250 million, marking a +6.8% increase from 2023. Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè attributed success to entrepreneurs, operators, and government policies focusing on quality, sustainability, and diversity in tourism offerings.

🏖️ In Q4 2024, Italy's tourism saw an increase compared to the same period in 2023 with arrivals up by 1.2% and overnight stays by 11.1%. Italian residents' stays grew by 5.9%, while foreign tourists' stays more than doubled with a 15.6% rise. The year ended with a total of 458.4 million tourist overnight stays, marking a 2.5% increase over 2023. However, arrivals decreased by 3.3%, down to 129.3 million. Italy became the second-ranked EU country for tourist presence, overtaking France and trailing only Spain. In October, the peak tourism month of Q4, there were 10.2 million arrivals and 33.4 million stays, with stays up 15.0% from 2023 but arrivals slightly down by 0.2%. November saw arrivals at 6.5 million and stays at 18 million, increasing by 13.8% and 7.8%, respectively. December diverged with stays up 2.8% but arrivals down 2.5%. Across Q4, foreign tourist presence grew significantly, with Italian stays up in October and November (9.7% and 13.7%, respectively) but down 3.1% in December. Foreign stays surged over 10% each month: 17.7

🏖 By 2025, travel spending is forecasted to hit a record $5.5 trillion globally, with the industry generating an additional $1.1 trillion in value. Key market drivers include the USA, Europe, Asia, and the growing Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with notable growth in Hong Kong and India. Travelers are shifting towards sustainable rail services and immersive local experiences, with a focus on quality. Emerging trends include AI for personalized trips, positive community impact, and a 31% of young travelers intending to book through physical agencies for the experience. Moreover, 67% are willing to pay more for relaxation, and 51% are prepared to spend 30% extra on sustainable options.

🏦 Marriott International signed 290 new agreements for about 34,000 rooms and added over 180 properties to its EMEA portfolio in 2024, entering new markets in Luxembourg, Angola, and Senegal. The company's EMEA pipeline grew to 596 properties, totaling 104,731 rooms (a 10% increase from the previous year), with conversions accounting for 45% of the annual signings. Key development activity was noted in Denmark, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UK. In the luxury segment, 26 deals were signed, expanding the luxury project pipeline to over 80 hotels and resorts. Marriott's midscale EMEA brand, Four Points Flex by Sheraton, finalized 34 agreements in Europe. The premium segment with Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, and Marriott Hotels saw 50 combined agreements, while the selected service segment led by Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, and Moxy Hotels signed 39. The residential segment recorded 11 projects, increasing the EMEA residential portfolio to 72 locations. Notable openings included Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, W Prague, The St. Regis in Serbia and Oman, and The Luxury Collection properties in Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn marked the brand's first European property. Moxy Hotels celebrated ten years in Europe and debuted in Spain and Luxembourg, while Protea Hotel Lu

🌍 In 2025, 72% of travelers plan to go abroad, with Japan as the top destination (13%), followed by the USA (9.5%) and France (9%). Online research for hotels will begin with search engines for 36%, a 10% rise from 2024. OTA bookings will increase by 3% to 42%, while direct bookings decline by 1% to 27%. Standard rooms are preferred by 46%, loyalty programs influence 24% of travelers, and 92% will invest equal or more in accommodations. Event-driven travel grows, with 65% more inclined to travel for events, and 70% willing to pay extra for eco-friendly stays. Smart working during trips will be considered by 41%, and pet-friendly services are important for 46% of travelers. AI divides opinions; 12% support AI managing entire hotel operations. SiteMinder’s report is based on data from 12,000 travelers across 14 countries.

🏖 Caroline Bremner, head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor, announced at the 2025 edition of Itb that tourism has fully recovered from 2019 levels and is breaking records, with a forecasted tourism spend of $5.5 trillion in 2025, including international and domestic travel. This spend is expected to generate an additional $1.1 trillion in value for the industry. Leading global market destinations include the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with significant interest in Saudi Arabia and continued attractiveness of the Emirates. Hong Kong and India are poised for notable growth. Emerging travel trends focus on immersive experiences, personal passions, AI technology for customized trips, and positive impacts on visited communities, challenging organized tourism players to align with sustainability and community-focused strategies.

🛍 In Italy, the tax-free shopping threshold set at €70 leads to 2.4 million shopping tourists in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year. Francesco di Cesare notes a total spend of €20-22 billion, with 27 outlets over 750,000 sqm (+4% in 2024, +6% forecast for 2025), 80 shopping streets, 74 department stores, and 1346 malls. The US leads purchases (20%, €123 average receipt), followed by German-speaking countries (28%, €85 average) and France (5%, €52 average), with UAE having the highest per capita spend (€366).