TOP NEWS

🏖️ 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.

Saranno 11,3 milioni gli italiani che si metteranno in viaggio per le vacanze di Pasqua. A dirlo l’indagine condotta da Tecnè Srl per Federalberghi intervistando un campione di 4.009 connazionali…

Saranno 11,3 milioni gli italiani che si metteranno in viaggio per le vacanze di Pasqua. A dirlo l’indagine condotta da Tecnè Srl per Federalberghi intervistando un campione di 4.009 connazionali…

☕ - illycaffè launched the innovative X-CAPS system at its flagship store on Monte Napoleone during Milano Design Week. X-CAPS coffee capsules are 85% recycled aluminum and designed for bidirectional use. They come in varieties like Classico, Intenso, Forte, Decaffeinato, and Classico lungo. The new hyperinfusion technology promises a creamy and rich espresso. X-CAPS is available online, in illy stores in Italy and Europe, Mediaworld, and selected bars. The related campaign featuring Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura starts airing on May 4, including TV spots and digital formats.

📆 Siteminder reports a 17% increase in global hotel bookings for Easter 2025 compared to 2024. In Italy, the check-in volume for Easter weekend 2025 grew by 17% year-over-year, with an average of 3.04 additional bookings per hotel by March 18. Italy's Easter average daily rates (ADR) rose 6.23%, from €278.46 in 2024 to €295.82 in 2025, higher than the 2024 annual average of €239.60. Portugal and Spain led with ADR increases of 14% and almost 8%, respectively, while Mexico, the US, and the UK saw declines. Italy's booking lead time extended by 15.51%, from 79.62 days in 2024 to 92.05 days in 2025, exceeding the global average increase of 9.63%. The average length of stay in Italy for Easter 2025 slightly rose by 1.53%, but globally, it decreased by 3.43%. Italian international guest bookings jumped from 58.53% in 2024 to 76.58% in 2025. For the April 25 to May 1 period in 2025, Italian hotel bookings saw a 0.35% uptick, and ADR increased by 3.68% annually from €301.00 to €312.07

💎 Grand View Research forecasts the global honeymoon travel sector's value at $131.56 billion in 2024, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2025 to 2030. Factors influencing growth include enticing hospitality options like private island resorts, boutique hotels, and personalized services. Couples prefer customized experiences such as adventure tourism, eco-sustainable trips, and cultural immersions. In Italy, 67% of honeymoon travels are sea-bound, often paired with tours, while "mini-moons" and multi-phase honeymoons gain popularity. In 2024, the 25-35 age group generated the largest revenue segment in the industry, prioritizing experiences over material goods. The luxury travel segment is expected to grow the fastest in the next five years, with high-end resorts offering privacy and unique experiences. Travel agencies held the largest revenue share in 2024, with the Asia Pacific market predicted to grow the most between 2025-30. Europe accounted for 39.3% of the market share in 2024, with Spain set to grow the most, while North America sees increased demand partly due to exclusive musical and cultural festivals.

🍴 Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij, a chef from Bangkok, became the first Asian woman to win The World's Best Female Chef award. Chef Pam was previously named Asia's Best Female Chef 2024. Her restaurant Potong, opened in 2021, is at No.13 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, up from No.35, and No.57 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024. She owns The X Project, The Table, Smoked, and ten other venues in Bangkok. Chef Pam also judges on Top Chef Thailand and founded the WFW Scholarship and Internship Program. The World's Best Female Chef 2025 is part of The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards, to be held on June 19, 2025, in Turin.

🏠 Firenze, Italy, is implementing regulations for short-term rentals to preserve cultural identity and promote sustainable tourism. A National Identification Code (CIN) is mandatory for listings, with fines ranging from €800 to €5,000 for non-compliance. Key boxes in the historic center are banned, urging property managers towards digital check-in solutions. New city center rentals require municipal approval. Tuscany introduced a law at the end of 2024 to regulate tourism, facing national government opposition in March 2025. Chekin aids in compliance by offering digital check-in, guest registration, tax automation, custom contracts, and secure payments.

🍝 On Carbonara Day (April 6), AstraRicerche surveyed 1,009 Italians (18-65 years) for Unione Italiana Food, revealing spaghetti as the most popular pasta for carbonara, chosen by 59.9%. Google reports nearly a million monthly searches for carbonara. Over 100 million kg of spaghetti were consumed in Italy in 2024. Pasta's shape is important for 93.4% of Italians, with 61% preferring ridged pasta. About 3 million participated in last year's #CarbonaraDay. More than half of Italians (55.3%) cook carbonara multiple times a month.

🏆 On a morning ceremony at Palazzo Chigi's courtyard, the "Maestro dell'Arte della Cucina Italiana" award, established by law 59 on April 19, 2024, was presented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni alongside Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida. Eight Italian culinary talents were honored: Iginio Massari (patisserie), Carlotta Fabbri (gelato), Franco Pepe (pizza), Carlo Petrini (gastronomy), Piercristiano Brazzale (cheese-making), Maria Francesca Di Martino (olive cultivation), Riccardo Cotarella (winemaking), and Massimo Bottura (cooking). Recipients received a bronze medal, pin, and crest from the Istituto Poligrafico Zecca dello Stato and will have the opportunity to teach their crafts to the next generation.