TOP NEWS

🌍 Francesca Lorusso of Shiruq has seen a surge in Italian traveler interest in cultural experiences, with North Africa tours in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, and Uzbekistan drawing excitement. Positive market trends indicate a strong demand for cultural experiences, with agencies increasingly offering such products. Upcoming seasons forecast sustained interest in Vietnam, Cambodia, and rising bookings for China. Exclusive summer itineraries include a 12-day Caucasus tour departing August 3, and trips to the Baltic states and Greenland, starting July 16 and August 21, respectively.

🏕 Club del Sole, an Italian open-air tourism brand, is expanding with a development plan featuring four new product categories: Easy Camping Village, Family Collection, Family Resort, and Boutique Resort. In 2024, the company welcomed minority investments from The Equity Club and Aurora Growth Capital, added six new villages, and acquired Roseto degli Abruzzi Easy Camping Village, reaching a total of 27 properties. It closed 2024 with over €110 million in revenue (a 10% increase from 2023), a 30% EBITDA margin, and 3.2 million overnight stays. For 2025, they forecast €130 million in revenue, over €40 million in EBITDA, and plan a €50 million investment. From 2026 to 2028, the group will invest over €167 million, aiming to exceed €170 million in revenue and achieve an EBITDA margin above 35%.

📈 The Perfect Profit Roadshow 2025 addressed key operational and commercial challenges in the hotel industry, offering solutions like online check-in/out, automated proposal handling, AI-based guest communication, system-driven rate automation, and integrated upselling. Chatbots can respond to 100% of routine guest inquiries. Digitization streamlines CRM use, enabling targeted communication and data-driven strategies. WhatsApp campaigns can yield up to 12x more revenue per campaign. Direct bookings are essential for profitability and customer relationship ownership. Dynamic, data-driven revenue management is emphasized, with a focus on market intelligence and real-time data. Peer exchange is highlighted as crucial for innovation and success. The next Roadshow will include new topics and opportunities for industry dialogue. Pre-registration is upcoming with limited spaces.

🏖 Italy expects 38 million international presences in 2025, a 1% increase from 2024, while domestic presences are projected to decrease by 2% to 29.7 million. The overall tourism presence is set to reach 67.7 million, generating a direct expenditure of €4.97 billion, nearly doubling to €8.85 billion when including indirect spending. The North-East and North-West regions are anticipated to show more dynamic performances.

🏖 From April 19 (Holy Saturday) to May 4 (Sunday), the tourism business in Italy is expected to generate over €9 billion, despite weather forecasts not deterring domestic or international travelers. Over 20 million people are anticipated to travel for leisure, with 12 million staying in hotels or similar accommodations, including 5 million foreign tourists. The data is based on research by Cna Turismo e Commercio.

🖤 In Rome, due to Pope Francis' funeral, consumer associations report accommodation prices surging by up to a thousand euros for the night of Saturday near the Vatican, compared to the weekends before and after. Giuseppe Roscioli, president of Federalberghi Roma, acknowledges slight price increases but finds rates lower than in 2024. Despite high season, the event compensates for many cancellations. Carrani's CEO Roberto Pannozzi and Acampora Travel confirm slight rate hikes, attributed to Easter, holidays, the Jubilee, and the Pope's death.

🏖 Assoturismo Confesercenti expects 6.1 million overnight stays for the Festa della Liberazione weekend, up by 500,000 from 2024. During Easter and spring bridges, Italy will see 27.5 million tourist presences, a 1.6% increase from the previous year. Foreign tourists are behind a 2.4% rise, particularly from Europe, while Asian bookings decline. Cities of art will attract 36% of visits, with a 1.3% growth. Lake locations (+2.8%), coastal (+1.9%), rural and hill (+1.8%), mountain (+1.9%), thermal (+1.5%), and other areas (+1%) also forecast positive trends. Northern Western regions, the South, and Islands are top tourist preferences.

🏨 Meininger Hotel adapts hospitality with hybrid concept targeting modern explorers and new generations, offering both hotel comforts and hostel social atmosphere. Philippe Pellan, regional director, emphasizes flexibility, quality, and environmental responsibility. With four hotels in Italy—Venice, Rome, two in Milan—the brand considers Italy, Austria, and France as strong markets after Germany and seeks expansion in Naples, Bologna, Genoa, Florence and a second in Rome. Despite no finalized deals, they are open to growth. Meininger confronts personnel shortages, particularly seasonal roles, by promoting job openings and fostering a people-centric company culture with personal and professional growth opportunities. Commitment to DEI, flexible work schedules, and employee well-being through digital tools like OpenUp are key strategies.

⛷ Monterosa Ski's 2024/25 ski season, ending on Easter Monday, surpassed the 2023/24 figures, resembling pre-Covid numbers. Despite adverse weather, the season set a new record for first-time entries. The Monterosa Ski Tre Valli area, including Champoluc-Frachey, Gressoney-La-Trinité - Staffal, and Alagna Valsesia, recorded 650,000 first-time entries, a 4.3% increase over last year and 3.7% above the previous 2016/17 record. Multi-day ski pass sales grew by 11.4% to 56,304, and 6-day passes increased by 7.3% to 17,390. Luciano Zanetta, president of Monterosa2000 S.p.A., attributes success to multi-day passes and dynamic pricing strategies.

📅 7 billion euros invested in Rome and Lazio for the Jubilee. 🏤 Rome expects 524,500 visitors and 1.2 million tourist stays during April 25-May 1 period. 📊 Jubilee projected to bring 35 million arrivals, 105 million stays, and a spend of nearly 17 billion euros in Rome. 💰 Economic benefits anticipated from tourism and infrastructure improvements.