TOP NEWS

🏖️ In 2025, international visitor spending is projected to hit $2.1 trillion, exceeding 2019's record by $164 billion, with domestic traveler spending reaching $5.5 trillion, totaling $7.6 trillion. Employment in travel and tourism is expected to reach 371 million globally, up from 357 million last year, with a forecast of 462 million jobs by 2035, accounting for 12.5% of total global employment. Despite a strong global sector, recovery remains uneven across countries. The United States and China have not fully recovered to pre-2019 levels. Contrarily, Saudi Arabia plans to invest $800 billion in tourism by 2030, setting new standards. The European Union is anticipated to create 4.5 million new jobs by 2035, with the sector's contribution to EU GDP expected to increase to nearly €2.3 trillion. Visitor spending is predicted to reach €730 billion for international and over €1.2 trillion for domestic visitors over the next decade. In 2024, the EU travel sector contributed nearly €1.8 trillion to GDP, surpassing 2019 levels by nearly 6%, with employment growing almost 5% annually to over 24.5 million jobs.

🏕 Global glamping market reached $2.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $5.2 billion by 2034, growing annually at 8.2%. In the United States, the market value hit $510 million in 2024, with iconic sites like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon contributing to an increase in tourism. The 18-35 age group represents 45.7% of the market, heavily influenced by social media platforms like Instagram, where 64% of users under 34, and TikTok, with 45% of users between 18 and 24, share their glamping experiences. Factors supporting the trend include higher disposable income, IoT adoption, and governmental support for ecotourism projects. However, high costs and varying environmental standards raise concerns about accessibility and sustainability certification.

📝 Edoardo Zaffuto, a co-founder of Addiopizzo Travel, believes stories of anti-mafia resistance are as much a part of Sicily as the sea and arancini. Addiopizzo Travel stemmed from the anti-mafia movement Addiopizzo, which started a critical consumption campaign, leading to the idea of ethical tourism for travelers wanting to support the movement. It evolved from working with schools to needing professional tourism figures. The "Palermo no mafia" tour emphasizes storytelling, focusing on facts while personal experiences provide depth. The tour is conducted in English and Italian, with a growing audience due to the spread of responsible travel concepts. Addiopizzo Travel's ethical tourism approach has expanded beyond Sicily, with a new tour launched in Naples in collaboration with the social cooperative La Paranza. The tours aim to provide a truthful narration of the territory, including its dark sides and the fight against crime, as part of urban and social regeneration. Addiopizzo Travel's office is located at Isola delle Femmine in the old station master's house, and they are planning a tour around the Kalsa neighborhood in Palermo, showcasing local artisans and the area's revival.

🏡 Manfredi Fine Hotels Collection, led by counts Goffredo and Leonardo Ceglia Manfredi, projects a 2025 revenue of €35 million, a significant increase from 2024, confirmed by managing director Bruno Papaleo. The new 5-star The James Suite Hotel Firenze will open on May 15, joining properties in Rome and Capri, and the chain's luxurious suites, apartments, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Despite geopolitical uncertainties with Donald Trump's return, the high-end American tourist market is expected to grow, supported by ENIT's report of a 14% increase in bookings from the USA to Italy in Q1 2025 and over 5 million American tourist presences in 2023. Expansion plans focus on 5-star hotels with iconic locations, while independent restaurants will no longer open outside hotels.

📊 RateBoard, based in Innsbruck and led by co-founder and CEO Matthias Trenkwalder, partnered with IDM Alto Adige on March 24, 2025. The collaboration aims to enable precise market and performance analysis for South Tyrol tourism through RateBoard. RateBoard is the market leader in revenue management and dynamic pricing for individual hotels in German-speaking countries, supporting ~1,300 hotels Europe-wide, including ~300 top facilities in South Tyrol. Clients will benefit from a "Benchmarking" module in summer and insights into market trends, seasonality, and booking dynamics, enhancing the tourism strategy with modern data analysis and artificial intelligence.

🏖️ Italians favor Naples as their preferred Easter vacation destination, followed by Rome and Florence. On the other hand, international tourists primarily search for Rome, then Milan, Venice, Florence, and Naples, with France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland as key source markets. Searches from these countries have tripled compared to last year. Notable increases in interest are seen for family-friendly destinations Rimini and Riccione, with annual search boosts of 729% and 879%, respectively. For travels abroad, Italian families are eyeing Paris, Barcelona, London, and Amsterdam, with significant search spikes for accommodations in Sharm el Sheikh (628% increase), New York, and Dubai.

📝 Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè today discussed measures against fake online reviews with representatives from Airbnb, Booking.com, Netcomm Consortium, eDreams, Expedia Group, Google, Meta, Skyscanner, Trip.com, TripAdvisor, and Truspilot.com. They expressed willingness to cooperate on refining the legislation.

🌊 Luigi Giussani, general manager of Amo il Mondo, aims to strengthen collaborations with travel agencies across Italy, offering growth opportunities and highlighting desired destinations. Events, in coordination with Uvet Travel Network, are held in major Italian cities. In Milan, Daria Boglietti and Claudia Villa presented travel options, focusing on their expertise areas. Padova's event featured Asian and African destinations, with a Thailand focus. Upcoming presentations include Rome in mid-April and Naples on May 9, featuring Caribbean travel options with partners like Singapore Airlines, Civitatis, The Residence By Cenizaro, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and tourism entities from Antigua and Jamaica.

🏖️ Mario Vercesi of Gattinoni Travel reports record numbers for April tourism, but a delay in summer bookings due to the "ferraprile" trend. August sees less demand, especially due to high prices, leading travelers to prefer July and September. Italy, Greece, and Spain are affected by high costs, while Egypt grows due to competitive rates. Long-haul travel maintains acceptable prices except for Japan. US travel from Italy shows a downturn, impacting Gattinoni Events' incoming sector. Franco Gattinoni notes a recent stall in business travel to the US amid economic tensions.

🏖️ During Easter, Italian tourism demonstrates its good health, with over 11 million Italians traveling and generating nearly 5 billion euros in business. Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, highlighted that almost 90% prefer Italy as a destination. The survey by Tecnè for Federalberghi indicates a vibrant outlook for 2025's tourism industry, reinforcing optimism for the upcoming summer season.