ENIT, the Italian national tourist board says the UK is a key market for Italian tourism, showing strong recovery and growth in recent years In 2023, UK travelers increased by 32 5% to over 6 2 million, with 34 7 million overnight stays, averaging 5 5 nights Tourist expenditure grew by 27 2%, reaching €4 54 billion with a +27 2% rise over 2022 Leisure holidays account for 52 4% of overnight stays and 63% of spending, followed by visits to family (26 2% of stays, 16 8% of expenditure), and occasional trips (7% of stays, 10% of spending) Study trips represent 6 5% of overnight stays and 2 2% of spending (€100 million), while honeymoons contributed €43 4 million and 205,000 overnight stays Almost half of the chosen destinations are related
to occasional trips, while among the planned itineraries, cultural destinations, including art cities, dominate, with 31 5% of stays and 37 4% of expenditure (€1 7 billion) Seaside destinations follow with 12 5% of stays and €600 million in spending Lake resorts rank third, with 937,000 overnight stays, and they generated €231 2 million in expenditure
Among the more niche choices, mountain tourism sees 697,000 overnight stays and €132 5 million, these are followed by green tourism which grew by 50%, with 591,000 overnights and €92 million Motivational niches like food and wine tourism (274,000 stays, €39 million) and sports holidays (153,000 stays generating some €23 3 million) also saw growth
Le Isole
island hopping in the Mediterra with local experts
MILANO - le isole d’italia, a tour operator specialized in the italian islands as well as islands in other countries, is based in lipari, one of the seven eolian islands, north of Sicily. «our real strength lies in our team: we are all islanders, deep connoisseurs of the reality and peculiarities of island life, - explains the director of le isole
d ’ i t a l i a F a b r i z i o F a m u l a r owith us each trip becomes an opportunity to experience the island in its most genuine spirit, respecting its essence and traditions » «our trips are authentic experiences, thanks to the local guides and operators who cherish the islands’ identity it’s not just a question of discovering a new destination, we want our customers to immerse themselves in the culture, traditions and flavours of each island, making each trip a profound and unique experience » le isole d’italia offers sustainable tourism packages in contact with nature and respecting the environment, including trekking tours, cultural itineraries and
Our trips are authentic experiences, thanks to the local guides and operators who cherish the islands’ identity
Fabrizio Famularo
Editore: Travel Open Day srl Proprietà: Network & Comunication srl
d ' Italia
We have created a wide choice of all-inclusive packages aimed mainly at groups and we take care of everything
m sarti@italiabsolutely com m sarti@travelquotidano com
Manuela Ippolito m ippolito@italiabsolutely com
mARkeT Ng Ligia Hofnar
Marketing Manager marketing@ taliabsolutely com commerciale@travelquot diano com eventi@travelopenday com
STRATegy
Monica Lisi
Project Lead m lisi@italiabsolutely com m lisi@travelquotidiano com
Claudiana Di Cesare Communicat ons Manager c dicesare@italiabsolutely com c dicesare@travelquotidiano com
SAleS DepARTmeNT Claudio dell’Accio sales@italiabso utely com
Carmen Tricarico account@italiabso utely com Olga Vaglio o vaglio@italiabsolutely com
ADmiNiSTRATioN admin@ita iabsolute y com
ADVeRTiSiNg DeliVeRy adsdelivery@italiabso utely com
eNquiRieS info@italiabsolutely com
ADVERTISING LICENSEE Network & Comunication Srl
Address: Via Aosta, 30 – 00182
food and wine tours The organized trips are with specialized guides, while the do-it-yourself tours offer greater flexibility, while each island offers many different activities from boat trips, trekking, and cultural excursions to much more « w e h a v e c r e a t e d a w i d e choice of all-inclusive packages aimed mainly at groups and we take care of everything from flights and ferries to the islands, to the hotels and excursions,adds programme manager Valentina marino - For couples, families and solo travellers, we have come up with some flexible itineraries that are highly customizable travel ideas based on individual needs »
Rome T: +39 06 89 01 75 77 direzione@network-comunication it
Maria Carniglia: Liguria maria carniglia@libero it cell 335 6131882
Sonia Moura: Veneto soniamoura60@gmail com cell 335 8454397 Press: Tipolitografia Federici s.r.l. Via Adda, 3 - 05100 Terni
MEDIA
Ponza Island
Stintino
Trekking in Capri
Discovering Beaut y:
of Pesaro-Urbino
BY PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE
URBINO - Itinerari della Bellezza is a tourist promotion project by Confcommercio Marche Nord, a guidebook that showcases 25 of the most beautiful municipalities in the Pesaro-Urbino province «They include charming seaside resorts, the historic city of Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and picturesque villages scattered across the hills, which define the essence of our province - says Amerigo Varotti, director of Confcommercio Marche Nord -Every hilltop reveals a castle, fortress, historic theatre, sanctuary, or church, all nestled in unspoiled landscapes »
Varotti explains that the untouched environment of the Pesaro-Urbino province allows visitors to see the same breathtaking views that inspi-
the Itinerari della Bellezza 2024 edition at the World Travel Market offering a glimpse of the extraordinary beauty of our province
Amerigo Varotti
red Renaissance masters like Raphael, Piero della Francesca, and Leonardo da Vinci
The itinerary offers not only cultural richness but also powerful outdoor experiences in locations such as the Marmitte dei Giganti in Fossombrone, the Furlo Gorge in Acqualagna, and the Fondarca Arch in Cagli, natural wond e r s t h a t l e a v e a l a s t i n g emotional impact
P e s a r o - U r b i n o i s a l s o f amous for its truffles, with the prized white truffle taking center stage at this time of year and celebrated through local events The area also boasts three PDO products:
cheese, Prosciutto di Carpegna, and Cartoceto’s olive oil, as well as three DOC wines: the Pergola Rosso, the Bianchello del Metauro, and the Sangiovese Colli Pesaresi As part of the Itinerari della Bellezza project Conf c o m m e r c i o a l s o m a n a g e s the unique Pergola Museum of Golden Bronzes «We will be showcasing the Itinerari della Bellezza 2024 edition at the World Travel Market, offering a glimpse of the extraordinary beauty awaiting travelers to our province,» adds Amerigo Varotti
FOOD & TIPS
PDO Products: Prosciutto di Carpegna
Cartoceto’s Olive Oil
Caciotta di Urbino cheese
DOC wines: Pergola Rosso
Bianchello del Metauro
Sangiovese Colli Pesaresi
Omnia Hotels
in the heart of Rome in 2025
R O M E - T h e O m n i a H o t e l s group is gearing up for a 2025 p a c k
year will see the inauguration of the renovated Hotel Imperia l e i n
w Shangri-La Roma EUR, bringing back to life a restaurant that is
there will also be ample new outdoor spaces and rooms
This is a further challenge for us, in the best tradition of our family, and dedicated to the city of Rome Francesco Lazzerini
Omnia Hotels will be able to of fer Rome a total of over a thou sand guest rooms in its eigh hotels, together with restau rants and bars, rooftops, fitnes and wellness areas and swim ming pools, meeting and even r o o m s
o p e n e d O m
Center in EUR
s EO Francesco Lazzarini - This a further challenge for us, in e best tradition of our family, nd dedicated to the city of ome »
«These last months of the year see us busy on several fronts, in a delicate stage of development of the various construction sites for the opening of these three new properties, added to which there are the operational activities aimed our guests from all over the
The Omnia Hotels group, under Francesco and Riccardo Lazzarini, now has eight hotels in its portfolio located in strategic parts of Rome: the Donna Laura Palace, overlooking the Lungoteere in the Prati district; the Imperiale in Via Veeto, currently undergoing a total renovation and edevelopment; the St Martin, between the Natioal Library and Piazza Indipendenza; the Grand Hotel Fleming, nestled in the heart of the Fleming hill and the Shangri La Roma, a landmark in the EUR district with the new Omnia Convention Center to which new rooms will soon be added as well as a new outdoor area with a swimming pool and a restaurant Then there is the Santa Costanza, a few steps from the mausoleum of the same name on Via Nomentana, and the Rose Garden Palace on central Via Boncompagni. And, the new Aria Palace, rising from the ashes of the Mondial Hotel, recently acquired next to the Opera House is undergoing a complete makeover
Nicolaus Group
International arrivals grow with 18,000 guests in 2024
The products
Italian taste: wine experiences, tasting tours and cooking classes to discover the flavours of a millenary tradition Synaesthetic journeys in the heart of Southern Italy
Travel is now showing significant signs of stability and reassurance, at least in our region
Giuseppe
OSTUNI - The Nicolaus Group resorts hosted 18,000 international travellers in 2024 «The number suggests a recovery and expansion of foreign tourism markets in Italy especially considering the current global context After years of uncertainty, particularly due to the pandemic, travel is now showing significant signs of stability and reassurance, at least in our region - says managing dir e c t o r , G i u s e p p e P a g l i a r aWith this in mind the incoming sector in our Valtur and Nicolaus Club branded facilities in Italy is recording increasingly siifi i i h
particularly focused on Cervinia, suggesting that this resort offers attractions and services that are particularly appealing t o v i s i t o r s f r o m t h e s e t w o countries «However, there is also no shortage of travellers from other European countries, such as France, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland This underscores that the resort offers a diverse cultural b
network of tourist connections, e n h a
rience »
ther refine the strategies for attracting tourists,- continues Pagliara - I am considering the possibility of taking steps to expand the network of acquaintances, of actively participating in international trade fairs, as well as enhancing the services offered, tailoring the proposals based on the nationalities of tourists and their specific expectations These are all crucial to maintain and accelerate our growth trend By 2025 we are aiming for a further 10% increase in terms of both turnover and passengers Yet anoth ffi ti f t th
Only made in Italy: unique experiences to discover Italy’s charme, on a journey through traditions, handicrafts, art, nature and local flavours
At your service: a wide range of ground services for FIT and groups Upscale standards, many skills for guaranteed success.
Grimaldi Lines
BY PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE
NAPLES - The Grimaldi Group operates in passenger transport with different brands: Grimaldi Lines in the Mediterranean, Minoan Lines in Greece, Finnlines in the Baltic, and Trasmed from Spain to the Balearic Islands
As a key player in Mediterranean transport, Grimaldi Lines provides reliable, sustainable travel solutions for passengers and cargo
The company operates 20 maritime lines, facilitating access to popular destinations like Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece, and Tunisia
maritime lines operated by the company, facilitating access to popular destinations like Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, Greece, and Tunisia
Green Commitment and Eco-Sustainability
Grimaldi Lines emphasizes environmental responsibility, reflected in its operations
The fleet includes 14 modern ships equipped with advanced technology to minimize emissions, such as scrubbers for exhaust gas purification
The use of eco-friendly hull paints reduces fuel consum-
ption, and the company promotes recycling and waste management on board I t s f l a g s h i p v e s s e l s , C r u i s e Roma and Cruise Barcelona, are the first Mediterranean ships with zero emissions in port
Unique Travel Experiences
On board Grimaldi Lines, travel becomes an enjoyable experience with spacious common areas and varied accommodations, including pet-friendly cabins Dining options offer Me-
entertainment usic, games, and n t e r o n s e l e c t ckages are avaipassengers consea, and special n s f o r f a m i l i e s and groups enhance the travel experience
International Audience and Inclusiveness
Grimaldi Lines caters to a diverse clientele, particularly from Spain, Greece, Germany, Austria, and France.
Multilingual services ensure all passengers feel welcome, and accessibility is prioritized for travelers with disabilities, including discounts for European Disability Card holders.
Travel Trends:
Sardinia
Sardinia is increasingly popular among international travelers, drawn by its beaches, culture, and gastronomy
Grimaldi Lines offers frequent connections, allowing guests to bring their vehicles for a more flexible exploration of the island With seven routes to Sardinia, Grimaldi Lines serves as the ideal gateway to this Mediterranean gem
A view of Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort and Spa
The Cruise Roma one of the flagshiop vessels of the Group
Giuseppe Pagliara
Pioneering a digital revolution for tour operators MarcheConnect.
BY PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE
ANCONA - With mem spread across the regio Inside Marche Live asso is set to ramp up its ac in the coming year membership and proj surge, TTG Travel Expe rience offered the perf e c t o p p o r t u n i t y t o unveil fresh products
a n d p a c k a g e s f r o m the region’s inbound operators Moreover, this is the ideal moment to introduce the g r o u n d b r e a k i n g M a r -
c h e C o n n e c t p r o j e c t the inaugural collabora tive digital platform un ting Marche’s tour oper tors
MarcheConnect is the n xus of more than 1,00 dedicated Marche oper tor packages, experien ces, and tours, instantly accessible to both operators and end-customers, embracing both B2B and B2C models
The platform is seamlessly integrated with th
tal system and, by he italia it tourism through a cuttinge
S
, dent of Inside MarLive, says, «This is a at opportunity beuse it will allow us o stimulate international demand, a sector in which the Marche has t
This is a great opportunity because it will allow us to stimulate international demand
Federico Scaramucci
y been less prominent Presently, out of every 100
overseas destina-
we connect to a
00 agencies and operators in the A, Canada, Brazil, UK, Australia, and o
courtesy of a strategic partnership with Chameleon Global »
MarcheConnect is substantial and the Marche region is poised to grasp it with both hands, a
n and communication strategy in key markets that are intrinsically linked to the region All these efforts converge with Inside Marche Live’s strategy to elevate the recognition of the Marche region on both the European and global markets
enhanced services, new routes, and a greener fleet S N A V 2 0 2 5
BY PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE
NAPLES - The shipping line,
w h i c h i s p a r t o f t h e M S C Group, is developing a range of new features for connections in 2025 which will be officially announced shortly The aim is to offer an increasingly efficient service in terms of both connections and environmental impact This year SNAV launched
a f l e e t m o d e r n i z a t i o n p r ogramme with the introduction in June of the first HSC of the Sirius series, an enhancement that will continue in the coming months with the arrival of a sister unit These investments have been made with the aim o f p r o v i d i n g a n i n c r e a s i n g l y high-quality service and reducing the environmental impact that vessels have on both the sea and the land SNAV will focus on new lines on both short and long-haul services, opening 2025 bookings in October and presenting SNAV’s innovations aimed at the trade Summer 2024 closed with a substantially positive balance The lines that operated in the Gulf of Naples to the Aeolian
Islands and to the Pontine Islands confirmed the numbers that highlighted last summer’s great recovery of tourist traffic t o S N A V
company recorded good occupancy levels on all lines this year, maintaining the quality of its service above the standard In the Adriatic the ferry service from Ancona to Split in Croatia, which is a top destination, posted a more than positive trend, and the company has targeted investments to further boost connections
T h e r o u t e s
SNAV connections
SNAV connections are:
Aeolian Islands from Naples to the Pontine Islands
from Ancona to Split in Croatia
THE LEISURE-TIME TR AIN IN LOMBARDY IS BECOMING MORE POPUL AR
Leisure-time trains are becoming increasingly popular, and from January to midOctober 2024 over 9 million passengers travelled at weekends and during the summer months to the great lakes, rivers, mountains, art cities and amusement parks on the trains of Trenord, the railway company that manages the Malpensa Express regional, suburban and airport train service in Lombardy
And more than 58,000 travellers have chosen Gite in Treno, the Trenord programme dedicated to sustainable tourism in Lombardy, which offers train+experience itineraries to destinations for sport, entertainment, culture, leisure
Trenord’s Snow Trains include a train+shuttle+skipass ticket for one or more days in ski resorts in Lombardy or neighbouring regions
and relaxation The figure is up 41%, over the same period in 2023
«Besides being a mobility company, we are to all intents and purposes a tourism player,- says Leonardo Cesarini, Trenord’s commercial director - On our trains weekend travellers have exceeded pre-Covid flows, and our tourism promotions are showing steadily growing results To further promote the use of trains in leisure time, we have partnered with Discovera, a platform that integrates tourism and mobility services Thanks to this collaboration, travellers can organize their entire trip through a single digital hub of services We hope to gain even more leisure train travellers, benefiting the environment and the region »
For the 2024/2025 winter season, Trenord’s leisure offer will be enriched with the Snow Trains which include a train+shuttle+skipass ticket for one or more days in ski resorts in Lombardy or neighbouring regions These will be joined by the direct trains for the Christmas Markets, already offered in previous years between Milan and Trento, and which this year, for the first time, will also reach Bolzano
from Naples, Castellammare and Sorrento to Capri (all year round);
from Naples to Ischia and Procida (all year round)
from Naples to the
Cibreo
urney through ainability and innovation uscan cuisine
FLORENCE - «Food has always been important in people’s lives But never before has awareness and attention to quality been so widespread,- says Giulio Picchi, CEO of the Cibrèo Group, for 35 years a leading F&B player in Florence
«Today there is a lot of checking of provenance and certification, and products are increasingly required to come from controlled or organic cultivation,- says the Florentineborn chef and restaurateur But there is also an increasing focus on offering creative variants for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan solutions
«We are particularly happy about this, because we have always maintained that many of the tastiest Tuscan recipes are naturally vegetarian. There is also a need for more flexible food formulations that can be shaped into options that include drinks »
In the face of this evolution the profile and role of the chef is also changing «One can no longer simply be a cook because it would be impossible to transform one’s food into ideas and messages for the world,- continues Picchi. Through
Food has always been important in people’s lives But never before has awareness and attention to quality been so widespread Giulio Picchi 19 79
The year when The original Cibrèo restaurant and the adjoining trattoria were opened
his creations a chef can be the vehicle of a fundamental and necessary message for the food of tomorrow He must also be an ambassador of biodiversity, environm e n t a l a n d c u l t u r a l p r o t e c t i o n , where traditions and history reside And, in order to deliver his or her own message through every dish and every idea, he must always keep in mind the most important issues of today, from climate change to waste and resource conservation »
The original Cibrèo restaurant and the adjoining trattoria were opened in 1979 by Fabio Picchi who soon made a name for his ecologi-
cally ethical use of raw materials
His idea was a cuisine with as short a supply chain as possible and always in step with the seasons
D o w n t h e y e a r s n e w c o n c e p t s have been added and the brand has become known all over the world
Cibrèo Caffè was added in 1989 and then it was the turn of Teatro del Sale, a circus that combines culture and good food, theatre and conviviality In 2017 Picchi opened Ciblèo which fuses oriental traditions with Tuscan raw materials, and in 2021 the new Cibrèo Caffè brought a Parisian bistrot atmosphere to the historical centre of Florence
Giulio Picchi, CEO of the Cibreo Group
Cibreo restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Teatro del Sale’s foyer
Bristol winter garden by Cibreo at Helvetia & Bristol
