TOP NEWS

📅 To ensure service continuity during key days of the Jubilee, a protocol was signed to prevent service strikes in transport, security, environmental hygiene, and healthcare sectors. Notably, CGIL and Cobas did not join the agreement. The protocol outlines nine major events, including the opening/closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter's and specific Jubilees, spanning dates from December 22-24, 2023, to January 5-7, 2026. Strikes are forbidden from the day before to the day after these events.

🏡 The Thinking Traveller now offers a collection of six private villas in Tuscany, adding to 300 properties in Sicily, Puglia, Greece, and Corsica. These villas, including the 18th-century Villa Talamo and Villa La Cacciarella with interiors by Vicky Charles, were previously private and are now on the market for the first time. Managed exclusively by The Thinking Traveller, they come with personalized services from Local Specialists. Villa locations include Versilia, Argentario, and the countryside near Siena, Florence, and Val D'Orcia.

🏆 In Italy, Tax Free spending by international luxury shoppers increased by 14% compared to 2023. American tourists lead the growth (26% of luxury Tax Free volumes), followed by Chinese (12%), Gulf countries (11%), and Asia (11%). Americans increased their spending by 8%, Chinese by 42%, and Arab tourists by 12%. On average, non-EU tourists spent €2,886 on luxury goods from January to October 2024. The recovery rate of Chinese Tax Free spending is 62%, with an average spend of €4,048, second only to Arab shoppers at €4,234. Global Blue, a leader in Tax Free Shopping, provided the data during the Altagamma Observatory event. ????

📈 Italian businesses planned over 427,000 hires in November and approximately 1.3 million for the November-January quarter, with 47.9% difficulty finding specialized profiles. Service sector leads with about 307,000 in November and 908,000 for the quarter, a year-on-year increase of 2.5% and 0.6%, respectively. Tourism and commerce sectors expect 82,000 and 72,000 hires. Industrial sector's outlook is uncertain, seeking 121,000 workers in November and 360,000 for the quarter, down 8% from November 2023 and 9.9% for the quarter. Manufacturing plans about 78,000 hires in November (down 9.9% year-on-year) and 239,000 for the quarter (down 12.5%), while construction seeks over 43,000 in November and 122,000 for the quarter (both down 4.3%).

🍸 The Sea Breeze cocktail, originated in the 1920s, gained popularity in the 1960s by Ocean Spray. It changed from a gin and grenadine base to vodka, grapefruit, and cranberry juice. Ocean Spray's marketing initiative amidst health concerns led to its creation. The drink has been on the IBA official list since 2004. Variants like Bay Breeze and Ocean Breeze emerged. Featured in films like "Scent of a Woman" (1992), it pairs well with seafood and light dishes. Ocean Spray cranberry juice arrived in Italy in 2020 through Velier.

🍰 The 14th edition of the "Pasticceri & Pasticcerie 2025 di Gambero Rosso" guide was unveiled at Palazzo di Varignana in Bologna. A total of 660 shops are listed, with 61 new entries and 33 awarded the maximum of Three Cakes. Lombardy leads in quality with 9 top-rated patisseries. Notable winners include emerging pastry chefs Arianna Valente and Raffaele Gant from Libera in Asti, and Delia from Lecce as Novelty of the Year. Iginio Massari with Pasticceria Veneto in Brescia received the Three Gold Cakes. The guide also features 25 pastry chefs from the restaurant sector, up from 16 in the previous edition.

🏖️ At the prestigious Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence, Daniela Santanchè initiated the G7 Tourism forum, focusing on "Innovation, inspiration and sustainability visions for the future of tourism". Highlighting artificial intelligence (IA) in Italy's tourism sector, current global IA investment stands at €130 billion, with a tripling effect on each euro invested. Italy's IA impact is valued at €6.2 billion, potentially saving tourism companies 20% and offering a cost reduction of 10% by 2030.

✈ Uiltrasporti has expressed satisfaction with the agreement between Ita Airways and a partner regarding Ita Airways' sale, pending final approval for closing. The union emphasizes the importance of rapid integration into Star Alliance, fleet investments, and expansion into new markets to grow Ita Airways and enhance connections to and from Italy, with hopes for positive employment impacts and reintegration of workers currently on social buffers.

🏖️ At the conclusion of the International Tourism Forum in Florence, Italy's Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè, ENIT, regional assessors, and Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano representatives, alongside major industry associations, signed the "Patto per il Turismo" (Tourism Pact). The pact outlines a shared path with ten strategic points to boost the growth of Italian tourism, aiming to enhance national and international competitiveness and quality tourism driving economic growth for all communities involved.

🏖️ In the third quarter of 2024, European tourism saw foreign arrivals increase by 7% and overnight stays by 5% annually compared to 2023, with a 6% annual increase in arrivals and 7% compared to 2019 levels. Total European tourism spending is projected to grow by 10.3% in 2024, reaching €719.7 billion. Southern Mediterranean destinations like Serbia (+34%) and Malta (+32%) outperformed, while Turkey (+16%) faces rising competition. Despite disruptions, air travel demand in Europe increased by 3.4% during summer, and hotel RevPAR rose by 5.9% annually. Short-term rentals grew by 11% in August 2024. Popular destinations face overcrowding, prompting measures to promote lesser-known areas and manage tourist flows.