TOP NEWS

🏆 Viola Palescandolo founded Black Platinum Gold in 2017, targeting high-net-worth travelers with unique auction-based travel experiences. The platform collaborates with approximately 200 partners worldwide, including The Ritz-Carlton and Nobu, and boasts 5,000 subscribers. Two types of auctions are offered: with flexible or fixed dates. The main market is the US (43%), followed by the UK (21%), and Germany (14%). A renewed portal and new app with push notifications are set to launch by the end of the year.

🏖 Turchia records 49.2 million visitors and $46.9 billion in tourism revenue in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 9% and 7% increase from the same period in 2023. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism aims to surpass 61 million visitors by year-end, with Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announcing the revised target. The average daily spending per international visitor was $107. İstanbul hosted over 14 million international tourists, while Antalya welcomed more than 13.3 million. Italian tourists increased by 22.4% to 543,195, and arrivals from Italy in September rose by 41.2% compared to September 2023. Notable growth also came from Russia (over 5.5 million, up 6%), Germany (over 5.2 million, up 6%), and the UK (nearly 3.7 million, up 17%). Visits from China surged by 84% to over 312,000.

🌎 Miguel Sanz Castedo, Managing Director of Turespaña and President of the European Travel Commission, addresses overtourism in Europe, emphasizing the need for sustainable tourism management. He suggests selling off-season travel to distribute tourist flows throughout the year and to focus on sustainability, as travelers increasingly want to positively impact their destinations.

🌆 Italians prefer Tuscany for the All Saints' Bridge, with Lucca leading Holidu's top 30 destinations, followed by Rome and Florence. Naples, Turin, and Livigno (sixth) rank just behind, while the first foreign city, Barcelona, is eighth, with Paris (tenth) also popular. Tuscany boasts 7 cities in the list, Lombardy and Veneto each have 3, and Umbria shines with Assisi (seventh). Italian destinations dominate with 27 out of 30. Paris is the most expensive city at €362 per night, while Viterbo is the most affordable at €102 per night.

🏠 Over 75% of rooms in Italy are already booked for the upcoming Ognissanti holiday, despite one less day compared to 2023. Rome and Venice lead with 82% and 84% rooms booked, respectively. Milan follows with 78%, while Naples has 77%. Florence lags behind with 66%. Perugia and Matera boast high occupancy rates of 90% and 88%, respectively, and Verona confirms its 71% occupancy rate from the previous year.

🏖️ The International Tourism Forum is set to return with the aim of establishing a 'Pact for Tourism'. Organized by Mitur for the second year, it will gather institutions and industry stakeholders in Florence at the Fortezza da Basso from November 8 to 9, preceding the first-ever G7 for tourism in the same city from November 13 to 15. The forum's agenda includes ten panels, addressing themes such as Jubilee, Innovation, Skills, Sustainability, Quality, Growth, Accessibility, Well-being, Blue, and Mountain, highlighting events like Rome's 2025 Jubilee and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

🏖 American Express Italia's Amex Trendex report states 38% of Italians plan to buy activities for partners and 18% for children. Travel is the preferred experience (59%), followed by entertainment (50%) and culinary events (40%). Over half (57%) will focus on travel this Christmas, with 61% traveling within Italy and 54% abroad. Pleasure travel is chosen by 70%, with 81% willing to pay more for comfort. Average spend: €843 on travel, €525 on entertainment and experiences.

🏖️ Travel Trends 2025 report by Skyscanner highlights a shift towards shared experiences influencing travel choices. AI integration in 2024 has revolutionized the tourism industry, leading to increased customer satisfaction and conversions. Italian travelers seek meaningful moments and community. Cultural tourism drives change with 53% of Canadian travelers influenced by cultural richness. Natural phenomena like the Aurora Boreale interest 56%, while 33% plan trips around specific astronomical events. In 2025, immersive experiences, astrotourism (46% of Gen Z interested), and gaming influence (34% of travelers) will be key, alongside a growing desire for green spaces (71% of travelers). Sustainability becomes a norm with CORSIA in 2027 and the EU's 10% sustainable fuel mandate by 2030. Success in 2025 requires a balance between AI technology and authentic, sustainable experiences.

🍴 Milano, 23 ottobre 2024 - Maria Carmela Colaiacovo, Presidente of Associazione Italiana Confindustria Alberghi, highlights the increasing importance of food and beverage (F&B) in the hospitality industry in enhancing guest experiences and the strategic role of local products in sustainable development. The "Food & Beverage Hospitality Forum" was held at the 10 Watt, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and local ties. Discussions included sustainable F&B management, innovative dining formats, and technology in service efficiency, with input from experts like Enrico Buonocore, Graziano Debellini, and Roberta Garibaldi.

🏖️ Gianluca Caramanna, Tourism Ministry Councilor, highlights the need for a reliable online platform for tourists in Italy, amidst fake news and scams. The Tourism Digital Hub, backed by PNRR funds, facilitates detailed local information, lodging options, and guides. Barbara Casagrande, General Secretary of the Tourism Ministry, aims to extend the hub's reach to all 500,000 Ateco codes in tourism, building on the initial 20,000 operators. The hub also offers statistics, training programs, and innovative products from startups, ensuring tourists' needs are met without privacy risks.