TOP NEWS

🏕 By the end of 2024, the planet will have fully recovered from the Covid-induced crisis, with tourism numbers hitting 1.1 billion in the first nine months, equating to 98% of pre-pandemic levels. Italy showcased double-digit growth in tourism revenue compared to pre-Covid earnings. The UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the positive impact on jobs and small businesses. The Middle East leads growth with a 29% increase in arrivals, while Qatar saw a 141% jump compared to 2019. Japan topped the list with a 59% rise in tourism revenue for 2023, followed by Turkey at 41% and France at 27%. The UK, Canada, and Australia also reported significant gains in the first half of 2024, with the US seeing a 7% increase from January to September.

🚲 "Le vie del BIKE", an Italian bike route guide, curated by the Marche Region for promoting 'Active Tourism', maps cycling itineraries across Italy aiming to enhance outdoor sports during vacations. The guide, part of the Ministry of Tourism's 'Viaggio Italiano' program, features 57 cycling routes with QR Codes for GPX track downloads, 57 descriptive cards, and 140 points of interest. Authored by expert cyclist Mauro Fumagalli, it's available in print with digital GPX tracks soon on italia.it.

🎢 Regent Seven Seas launches a global promotion campaign 'Unrivaled at Sea' with the claim 'Nobody does it better'. They are targeting a luxury cruise market with a potential of 6.6 million global customers. Strategies include expanded onboard spaces, overnight stays, and thematic cruises like the May 2026 journey featuring Sarah Fabergé. Catering to luxury travelers, 45% are Next Generation Jet Setters (Gen Z), 24% Active Explorers, 16% understated traditionalists, and 15% young sophisticates. They offer super all-inclusive services for a carefree experience.

🎢 In 2024, Italian cruise industry recorded 14.1 million passenger movements, slightly up from 13.8 million in 2023. Civitavecchia led with 3.4 million passengers (+2.5% vs 2023) and 860 ship calls (+6.3%). Naples followed with 1.73 million passengers (+4.9%) and 454 ship calls. Genoa had 1.5 million passengers (-11.7%) with 308 calls (-9.4%), while Palermo surpassed one million passengers. By 2025, passenger movements may exceed 15 million. Global cruise tourists are projected to reach 40.8 million by 2028, a 14.3% increase from 2024, with available beds rising by 10% to 745,000.

🏖️ In 2024, the Italian tourism industry faced a trend inflation of +3.6% and a 10.9% increase in average daily hotel rates due to higher energy costs, impacting 37% of tourism operators negatively. The sector is challenged by a lack of digitization, with 43.7% of hotels showing low digital attitude, resulting in fewer bookings. Direct booking at hotels is rising annually, fueled by special packages and services. Social media, especially among 40% of Gen Z preferring it over Google, influences 90% of their purchase decisions. The Osservatorio Mr PRENO notes an increasing importance of sustainability in traveler choices, with many willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.

📅 In Lecce, the first biennial ITS course for 'Travel Office manager' commenced, organized by the 'ITS Academy Regionale della Puglia per l’Industria della Ospitalità e del Turismo Allargato,' Aidit Federturismo, and Confindustria Lecce. Aimed at training professionals capable of traditional tourism organization roles, it includes tasks pertinent to agency desk personnel, hotel staff, tourist info points, and corporate travel offices. Stefania Mandurino of Aidit Federturismo emphasizes the necessity of professional training for modern tourism businesses, particularly due to informed customers and technological changes in product development and sales.

🍸 Palermo transformed into the mixology capital during the second Palermo Cocktail Week from November 18-24, involving 22 venues with exclusive menus and prestigious guests. The event highlighted small and medium-sized companies' high-quality products, including artisanal spirits and traditional liqueurs, and featured masterclasses and workshops at Villa Filippina. Trends discussed included a blend of classic drink recipes with modern twists, the growing popularity of Japanese yuzu in cocktails, sustainability in drink production, and customer-centric hospitality experiences.

🏥 At the Wellness Hospitality Conference in Milan on November 21, over 600 attendees, 30 partner companies, and 15 media outlets gathered to discuss wellness trends with 30 experts. The event, organized by Teamwork Hospitality at NH Collection Citylife, featured speakers like Cristina Mottironi from Bocconi University, Laszlo Puczko of HTWWLife, and Giorgio Ribaudo of Thrends. The next conference is scheduled for November 20, 2025.

🍷 Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida recently presented the 'Dealcolizzati' ministerial decree draft, regulating production of Nolo (no and low alcohol) wines in Italy. Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) appreciates the detailed legal framework, aligning with European competitors three years post EU regulation and opening new market opportunities. The decree defines dealcoholized wines (max 0.5% alcohol) and partially dealcoholized wines (above 0.5% but below 8.5%/9%), with strict labeling, production, and de-alcoholization process guidelines. UIV suggests improvements and urges rapid approval before the upcoming Christmas.

🏨 B&B HOTELS inaugurated its seventh establishment in Piedmont, the B&B HOTEL Alba, expanding its brand with over 850 hotels in Europe and more than 75 in Italy. The hotel features 89 rooms, Wi-Fi at 300 Mb/s, Smart TV with Chromecast, a B&B Shop, and a buffet breakfast available from 7:00 to 10:00 AM. Additionally, it offers a Meeting Room with a 100-person capacity and a parking lot for 70 vehicles. Liliana Comitini, the company's leader for Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary, emphasizes the brand's evolution and commitment to promoting regional tourism.