2024 is a year to remember for Venice Marco Polo Airport, which with 11.6 million passengers set a New record.

In 2024 the airport exceeded pre-pandemic levels

In fact for the first time the airport exceeded the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, when 11.56 million passengers transited. However, the growth, equal to +2.7% compared to 2023, remains more contained than the national average of Italian airports, which are experiencing a more rapid expansion, reflecting Venice Airport’s  sustainable development strategy. 

Optimizing passenger flows 

The aim is to attain a measured development that guarantees a positive experience for passengers, and infrastructures that are able to meet demand. “We are not interested in growth on a drug-fuelled basis,- said Enrico Marchi, president od rhe Save Grouo that manages the airport,-  ‘but in long-term sustainable expansion that focuses on the quality of services.” This philosophy is also reflected in the recent infrastructure development aimed at optimizing passenger flows without compromising operational efficiency.

North American traffic is 21% of the total

The strength of Marco Polo is its intercontinental vocation, which represents 21% of total traffic. In 2024, the airport saw a significant increase in traffic to North America, with over one million passengers and a growth of +9% compared to 2023. Transatlantic routes are covered by Delta Air Lines, to New York JFK and Atlanta, United Airlines to New York Newark, which this year is joined by a new route to Washington D.C, while American Airlines with a flight to Chicago will add the first direct connection to Dallas-Fort Worth this summer.

More far Eastern flights are also being added

Traffic to the Far East is also growing, with an increase of 36% and over 300,000 passengers in the first ten months of 2024. This result is driven by the Venice-Shanghai Pudong connection operated by China Eastern and Asiana Airlines' summer service to Seoul Incheon. There's also good news for connections to the Middle East: Qatar Airways has resumed flights to Venice with a daily connection to Doha, alongside Emirates' daily flight to Dubai.

Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Ski Rerost has completed its 5-star repositioning. 

Investing in services and staff

The new 5-star status is the result of a constant improvement process over three seasons. To achieve this the brand developed an investment plan on various fronts, starting with the restyling of various areas of the resort. Another significant part of the economic and planning resources has also been allocated to services and staff. Keeping the focus on investment, there has also been careful strategic repositioning of the destination.

Redevelopment led to the 5-star rating 

“It is with great satisfaction that we announce the 5-star rating obtained by our resort,- says  the president of the Nicolaus group, Roberto Pagliara. -When we started the redevelopment, the property was a 4-star, and in preparation for the reopening we upgraded the central block. The aim was to standardize the hotel, in line with our format and the way we provide our services. We are very happy to have completed this process within the set time frame. We want to emphasise this because it is important, and the numbers we are recording are the best proof of this constant progression.”

Guests from 89 nationalities in 23/24

Starting with the number of guests, which, in the same period, marks a +26% increase on a winter that was already as good as 2023/2024. Even more significant is the 60% increase in total revenue, which shows how the increase in quality leads to increased profitability and encourages guests to make more use of services. An insight into foreign markets is also very interesting, as the closing of the winter 2023/24 season saw as many as 89 nationalities present in the resort, while the 2024/25 season already counts 70 nationalities, with Israel (+1,100%), Holland (+300%), USA (+112%) and France (+56%) in particularly interesting positions.

The Valtur brand as quality lifestyle hospitality 

“We're closing this first part of the season with results that are better than expected and with excellent feedback from the distribution sector, confirming that the move upmarket and the standardization of the product are effective sales levers- says Pagliara. -Our Valtur Cervinia continues to be the best presentation of an ambitious project, which sees the Valtur brand become a reference point for quality lifestyle hospitality.”

CDSHotels' turnover grew by 7%, closing 2024 with almost €60 million, and the group opens the Le Castella in Calabria. 

A new hotel in Calabira this June

This positive result is accompanied by an important piece of news: the opening of CDSHotels Le Castella – Ninfe Saracene in Calabria in June 2025. With this new property the company strengthens its presence on the Italian market, extending beyond Puglia and Sicily. The 4-star superior hotel will have 85 rooms, a swimming pool, a restaurant with a terrace and a beach club (a conference room and a wellness centre are planned for 2026). The resort will reflect the chain's philosophy, employing local staff and promoting the use of farm-to-fork products.

“We have chosen Calabria for its tourist potential” 

“Our arrival in Calabria is a fundamentally strategic step for us,- explains commercial director, Ada Miraglia. – Having consolidated our presence in Puglia and Sicily, we have chosen this region for its extraordinary beauty and its tourist potential.’”

Foreign markets were up 37% over 2023

2024 confirmed the stabilization of the Italian market after the exploit of 2023. The flow of national tourists was more evenly distributed in the four central months of summer, in line with a progressive process of deseasonalization. On the international front, foreign markets recorded an increase of 37% over 2023, with French tourists exceeding Germans thanks chiefly to new agreements with French tour operators. There has also been an increase in customers from Canada, the United States and Australia. “The outlook for 2025 is excellent,- concludes Ada Miraglia, -with forecasts showing a 36% increase over the same period in 2024. The goal remains to expand our offer and consolidate our presence on the Italian and international markets.”

Twin Jet is expanding its Italian network with the addition of a new Nice-Venice flight, which will take off on 31 March. 

Two direct weekly Nice-Venice flights

The airline is already operating routes to Bologna and Milan Malpensa, and the new Nice-Venice route will be served by two direct return flights a week, on Mondays and Fridays with Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. “This new route is part of Twin Jet's strategy to offer greater connectivity between the main regional capitals, facilitating travel for passengers,- explains a note from the carrier. -By connecting Nice, gateway to the French Riviera, to Venice, queen of the Adriatic, Twin Jet responds to the growing demand for direct connections between France and Italy.”

Twin Jet is a partner of Air France’s Flying Blu programme

Particular attention, the note underlines, is paid to schedules, with the aim of “offering the best flight options to passengers, whether travelling for business or pleasure.” A partner of Air France's Flying Blue frequent flyer programme, Twin Jet operates a fleet of 13 Beechcraft 1900Ds and operates around 200 regional weekly flights to 13 destinations in France and Italy: Le Puy-en-Velay, Lyon, Marseille, Mende, Nice, Paris-Orly, Pau, Rennes, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Bologna, Milan Malpensa and, soon, Venice.

The Blu Hotels group will continue to manage the Grand Hotel Forte dei Marmi and Misurina for another 20 years. 

The Misurina is on Forte dei Marmi’s seafront

The extension of the contract with The Misurina is particularly strategic, thanks to its location a few kilometres from Cortina d'Ampezzo, which will allow the Salò-based company to prepare for the next Winter Olympics from 6 to 22 February 2026. The restyling of the Forte dei Marmi property, costing over 3 million, aims to maintain the characteristic style of the Versilia region, but adding a touch of freshness and modernity. The hotel, which has been managed by Blu Hotels since 1993, enjoys a privileged position on Forte dei Marmi’s seafront.

“We will continue to invest and are aiming ever higher” 

“These two renovations are a source of great satisfaction for us and confirm the strong links and winning synergies we enjoy with the territory,- says the president of Blu Hotels, Nicola Risatti. -Both properties, thanks also to their locations, have always given us great results. The major restyling work we are carrying out in collaboration with the owners demonstrates our determination to continue investing and aiming ever higher.” 

Launched by the Varese Welcome Foundation #Varese DoYouBike? is range of offers and integrated services for cycle tourism in the Lombardy city and its province.

Nature, culture and local attractions

Experiencing Varese on two wheels means cycling through pre-Alpine landscapes, discovering small villages, churches and hermitages. All immersed in a beautifully charming and natural setting. and with circular routes around the lakes. These routes also reveal artistic and historical treasures and wonderful natural landscapes.

Itineraries for all levels of bike enthusiast 

With over 40 itineraries, in six areas, divided by duration, difference in altitude, length and difficulty the network of cycle paths connects the main attractions and run along some of the most important lakes and rivers. They also englobe parks, cultural sites including castles, religious monuments, museums and historic villas. On the itineraries there are e-bike charging stations while a group of certified and passionate guides is ready to accompany bikers on each route.

A website that makes it easy to plan biking holidays

With the aim of promoting the natural and cultural wealth of the province of Varese, the Varese Do you bike?(www.varesedoyoubike.it) website has everything needed to plan exciting excursions. Just choose the dates, the difficulty of the routes, the type of hotel and the places to stop for lunch and that's it. It offers all the rest, from assistance, maps and equipment hire to refreshment points, bike hotels, e-bike charging points, restaurants and bike-friendly public establishments. Along the routes there are plenty of areas to park bikes and recharge the batteries, perhaps during a lunch break, and rhere are all the accessories needed to keep the bikes in good working order. The six areas of interest include the Valli del Verbano, Lago Maggiore, Campo dei Fiori, Piambello, Valle Olona and Ticino. 

Itineraries for all ages and interests

There are various types of itineraries like those suitable for families with children aged 10 and over. This category includes cycle paths and dirt roads that are not difficult. Then there are routes for cycle tourism, for those with average training levels who are able to cover distances of more than 40 km on medium technical routes. And finally, there is sport tourism, for advanced cyclists who are technically prepared and able to ride distances of over 60 km and/or on challenging technical trails. The Varese Welcome Foundation was created by the Varese Chamber of Commerce to meet the needs of a province that aims to become increasingly attractive to tourists. 

The Hotel de Bonart Naples welcomes the first Neapolitan branch of the Finarte auction house to its premises. 

The hotel has over 150 art works 

Creating new synergies for collectors, enthusiasts and refined travellers, this opening of the Finarte auction house is thanks to the Caracciolo Group hotel’s strong link with art. In fact the hotel has over 150 works by artists from the  Campania region. For guests it also organizes art talks, meetings with experts and collectors dedicated to the art market and the management of collections. It also organizes valuation days, allowing anyone interested in buying, selling or enhancing their assets and collections to take advantage of specialized advice.

Costanzo Jannotti PecciPromoting the Campania art scene

“Our group has always believed in the intellectual vocation of Naples, a city with an incredible cultural propensity,-  explains Caracciolo's CEO, Costanzo Jannotti Pecci. -The Hotel de Bonart Naples is more than just a place of hospitality; it serves as a true hub for exclusive art experiences. We have always showcased a collection of artists and provide opportunities to engage with prominent figures from the Campania art scene.

The first 5-star hotel on the Paganella Plateau in Trentino is the Solea Boutique & Spa Hotel in Fai della Paganella which has repositioned itself at the top end of the market. 

A vision that reflects on a changing community

The announcement was made by Visit Paganella, the local tourism board. “Our territory is endlessly evolving and adapting, perpetually challenging itself while embracing a forward-thinking and innovative approach rooted in quality over quantity. This new achievement represents another milestone in the ongoing and significant transformation that began in 2019, driven by a vision aimed at reflecting on the changes the community is undergoing,- says director Luca D'Angelo.   - This process strengthens resilience and fosters a forward-thinking mindset, developing models that address current challenges by blending innovation, tradition, and authenticity, all in perfect harmony with the local environment.”

Pet-friendly and a luxury all-inclusive formula

The expansion of Solea's services includes new designer rooms, a yoga room dedicated to wellness and an expanded programme of activities. The facility is also pet-friendly and is designed to meet the most varied needs: from romantic holidays for couples, to stays for groups of friends, to solutions dedicated to travellers with disabilities as well as companies looking for spaces for meetings and team building. Great attention has also been paid to the luxury all-inclusive formula. 

Attention to sustainability 

For the hotel obtaining its fifth star is the crowning achievement of a process of constant growth and improvement. A fundamental pillar of this change has been the attention to sustainability with the Solea Boutique & Spa Hotel adopting concrete practices to reduce its environmental impact, using local and green materials for renovations, implementing technologies for energy and water saving and collaborating with local companies.

“Immersing our guests in the beauty and culture of Trentino”

“For us, the arrival of the fifth star is a starting point, not a finishing line,- says hotel manager Simona Cavicchi. -We will continue to innovate, introducing new personalized experiences, expanding our services and strengthening our bond with the local area. We already have plans for new collaborations with local suppliers, and exclusive activities to immerse our guests in the beauty and culture of Trentino. Our goal is to maintain and exceed the standards that have allowed us to reach this important milestone.”