TOP NEWS

🏖 Turchia’s travel and tourism sector to contribute 12% to GDP in 2025, with an economic input of 5.2 trillion Turkish Lira, up by over 200 billion from 2024. International visitor spending expected to rise to 2.6 trillion Turkish Lira. WTTC projections foresee continuous growth until 2035, reaching a sector contribution of 7 trillion Turkish Lira, nearly 13% of GDP, with international and national tourism spending hitting 3.4 trillion and 1.7 trillion Turkish Lira, respectively.

🏨 Hotiday, a travel tech startup, increased its capital by €5.5 million, with P101 SGR leading the funding round alongside 40Jemz and international business angels. In 2024, Hotiday achieved a 500% revenue growth from 2023 and expanded to over 65 collaborations with hotel groups like TH Resorts, covering 90+ destinations in Europe, and launched the first overseas Room Collection in Paris. The company is hiring new roles, including Financial Analyst, Business Development Manager, and Data Scientist, to further its growth.

📍 In Rome, following a surge in tourists and pilgrims for the Pope's funeral and Conclave, financial police have increased checks on hospitality establishments. More than 100 entities faced administrative irregularities, resulting in over €500,000 in fines. Infractions include failure to report guest details to the police, non-compliance with fire regulations, and an illegal hotel near Trevi Fountain with 35 rooms and 85 beds.

🏖 In 2024, Italian tourism generated 13% of employment, with forecasts of nearly 16% by 2034, according to ENIT. The Government Meloni's strategy and the Ministry of Tourism's measures aim to revive the sector and create over one million jobs. Achievements include an 80% implementation of the tourism program, reducing job shortages from 350,000 in 2022 to approximately 260,000. UNIONCAMERE estimates a demand for 551,000 to 683,000 workers in the next five years, about 18% of total needs. ISTAT reported nearly 2 million tourism-related jobs in 2024, a 2% increase from 2023, with over 458 million tourist presences. The overall tourism employment exceeds 3 million, with substantial growth into 2025.

🏖️ In 2024, tourism contributed to 13% of total employment in Italy, with predictions by Enit to reach 16% by 2034. Key events like the Jubilee and Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, along with strategic government actions including a historical reform in tourist guides, tax exemption for tips, and night/holiday work, bolstered the sector. Personnel shortages dropped from 350,000 in 2022 to about 260,000 in 2024. Unioncamere projects a demand for 551,000 to 683,000 tourism workers in the next five years, totaling 18% of Italy's workforce needs. Despite geopolitical concerns, the tourism-related workforce grew to nearly 2 million in 2024, a 2% increase from 2023, with tourist presences exceeding 458 million and the sector's total employment surpassing 3 million.

🏖️ Over the April 30-May 4 period, at least 10 million travelers, including nationals and foreigners, visited Italy, generating over €4 billion in business. Six million stayed overnight in accommodations, with international tourists, mainly from the USA, Central Europe, UK, and Asian countries, reaching 2.5 million. The average stay was three nights for nationals and four for foreigners, indicating growth. Notably, 600,000 stays were recorded in 26,000 agritourism establishments.

🏖 In Italy, the single traveler market is worth over €1 billion and caters to 8.4 million singles, a number that is steadily rising. Singles, especially those between 35-55 years old, possess more free time and economic resources. Despite a 4.3% increase in average monthly consumption to €2,738 and a nominal annual family income rise to €37,511 in 2023, real terms saw a 1.6% decline. Yet, singles maintain strong spending capacity, making them valuable for the travel industry, particularly for cultural, sports, wellness, and social experiences.

🏖️ Alessandra Priante, president of Enit for over a year, aims to elevate Italy to the top of the global tourist destinations, as stated by Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè. Enit promotes diverse offerings like food, nature, and sports tourism to balance tourist flows and prevent saturation. In 2025, trends include experiential and sustainable tourism, outdoor adventures, and slow travel, with wellness tourism also on the rise. The Global Summit of the Wttc will be in Rome in September 2025, showcasing Italy as a prime business tourism spot. Emerging markets like Vietnam and South American countries show robust growth, with Southern Italian art cities gaining popularity among Millennials. Enit suggests visa policy improvements for Asian tourists, particularly from China and India, to boost these markets. The full interview with forecasts and promising markets is available on TTG Italy's digital edition.

📍 Expedia's Taap program launches a new promotion for partner travel agencies in May, offering exclusive discounts of at least 25% on thousands of hotels worldwide. Agents must book by May 26, 2025, for travel by September 30, 2025. Expedia Taap works with over 160,000 travel agents globally, featuring more than 3 million accommodations, 170,000 tours, activities, and attractions, plus services from 110 car rental companies and 500 airlines.

🏖️ In 2024, Italian tourism generated 13% employment, set to increase to nearly 16% by 2034. Events like the Jubilee and Milan Cortina Winter Olympics boosted numbers, according to Enit. Minister Daniela Santanchè credited the Meloni government for reaching 80% of their tourism agenda. Employee shortage dropped from 350,000 in 2022 to about 260,000 in 2024. Istat reported nearly 2 million tourism-related jobs in 2024, a 2% increase from 2023, surpassing 3 million total jobs. Unioncamere forecasts a high job demand in the sector, predicting up to 683,000 vacancies by 2029, about 18% of the total job demand.