TOP NEWS

✈️ In 2025, the travel sector is shaped by low-cost evolution, premiumisation, online travel, apps, and personalization, as per GlobalData's "Key Themes in Travel & Tourism 2025" report. The travel landscape will differ from 2019 with AI, cybersecurity, and ESG 2.0 being significant. Digital presence and data collection for one-to-one personalization are essential for competitiveness. Online travel platforms and apps offer comprehensive services and use algorithms and AI for personalized recommendations. Low-cost and premium offerings coexist, satisfying different consumer segments and influencing industry standards.

🏠 In Italy, Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè addresses short-term rental regulations emphasizing dialogue and no punishment. Controls for the mandatory National Identification Code (Cin) have begun. Rome leads with 44,245 short-term rental properties, 77.8% Cin compliant, followed by Venice (30,452 properties, 85.63% compliant) and Milan (24,925 properties, 78.36% compliant). Non-display of Cin can result in fines ranging from €800 to €8,000.

🚢 Tui Group, under CEO Sebastian Ebel, transforms business model focusing on enhancing and diversifying travel package offerings. Aims to expand international presence and profit margins, emphasizing flexible and dynamic travel packages as core product. Plans growth in Eastern Europe, America, and Asia, catering to global consumer travel trends and emerging preferences.

🏖 Sistema Monferrato's "Incoming Piemonte 2025" project receives €330 million, ranking first in the regional funding for travel, with an additional €400,000 from private investments. Andrea Cerrato, the consortium's president, highlights the network of 600 enterprises. The project aims to enhance Piedmont tourism, offering over 150 active travel packages and partnerships with 2,100 travel agencies, plus collaborations with Trenitalia and electric mobility between airports.

📱 In 2025, Italy's Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè met with industry associations to discuss measures for sector growth. The Centro Studi Turistici di Firenze reported a 2.5% increase to 458.5 million tourist presences in 2024 compared to 2023. Key topics included development contracts, refinance of tip tax exemption, short-term rental regulation, and mountain support initiatives.

🏰 Castello Sonnenburg-Castel Badia, located in San Lorenzo di Sebato, Val Pusteria, is being transformed into an ultra-luxury hotel by the Gasser family, with management entrusted to Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana. Scheduled to open next autumn, the renovation represents an investment of over €30 million. The revamped property will feature 29 rooms, a spa, and a restaurant following Borgo Egnazia's hospitality concept, aiming to make Plan de Corones a luxury destination within 5 years.

🏡 Italy mandates the Codice Identificativo Nazionale (CIN) for short-term rentals to ensure legal standards and facilitate monitoring by local authorities. Starting 3 June 2024, the CIN becomes compulsory with full enforcement by 1 January 2025. Non-compliance results in fines ranging from €800 to €8,000. Acquisition involves document preparation, BDSR platform registration, and safety requirement verification, with an ultimate goal of market credibility and transparency.

🏠 Frederik Kubierschky, co-founder of Vocabolo Moscatelli, highlights luxury and authenticity as core values of his facility, alongside nature and cultural immersion. Catering to both Italian and international guests, including those from Northern Europe, the USA, and the UK, the property offers a serene, countryside experience with plant-forward cuisine and tailor-made experiences. Vocabolo Moscatelli adapts to modern travelers seeking authenticity, customization, and sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices throughout.

🏨 Federalberghi reports that nearly 80% of lodging facilities and apartments, over 451,000 out of 571,000, are compliant with the National Identification Code (CIN) in the new year. Matera province leads with 94.10% CIN issuance, followed by Bolzano at 93.09%, while Terni (54.33%) and Trieste (55.69%) are at the bottom. Tuscany, Lombardy, Veneto, Lazio, Puglia, and Sicily top the regions in CIN distribution. Penalties for non-compliance range from €800 to €8,000.

🌍 Slovenia's tourism strategy, focusing on being a "green & boutique destination," has paid off with a 20% increase in arrivals (311,000) and 14% rise in overnight stays (756,000) in November. Aljoša Ota notes the strategy’s success, especially among 35-44 year-olds from Italy, Austria, and Croatia. Italy led international arrivals in November with 76,000 visits, a 53% increase from 2023. Overall, Slovenia saw 6.2 million arrivals and 16 million overnight stays in the past 11 months, spotlighting niche regions and cultural hubs.