The latest digital initiative from Aeroporti di Roma is the "Shop&Fly" e-commrce platform. 

Pre-booking products from 600 brands

Shop&Fly enables passengers at Fiumicino to pre-book products available on the ADR website, purchase them and collect them directly at the airport. Travellers can peruse a diverse array of products from major to trendy brands including perfumes, cosmetics, gourmet foods and wines, as well as toys. In total there are over 9,000 items from approximately 600 brands available for sale in the Aelia Duty Free stores operated by Lagardère Travel Retail. This enticing e-commerce opportunity is further enhanced by an exclusive 10% discount on the in-store prices on online orders.

The service is also available to arriving passengers 

With the Shop&Fly service passengers departing from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport for any destination or arriving in the airport from an Italian or Schengen destination can conveniently shop online. They can select products from the catalogue, complete the payment, and collect their purchases on the day of departure or of arrival at dedicated cash registers in the Aelia Duty Free stores. Through a partnership with ITA Airways, passengers flying with the airline, including those arriving from non-Schengen destinations, can retrieve their ordered products at designated Aelia Duty Free Pick Up points upon arrival.

“We are committed to meeting customer needs”

Marilena Blasi, the chief commercial officer of Aeroporti di Roma, emphasised the company's commitment to meeting customer needs. Blasi pointed out the importance of providing a seamless digital experience, particularly pre-flight. “For us it is essential to guarantee a fluid and uninterrupted digital experience, especially during the pre-flight stage when passengers interact with services such as shopping and dining. With the launch of our 'Shop&Fly' e-commerce we enable the online booking of products on sale in our duty-free stores and payment in store.” 

Avventura, the latest addition to the Volare product lineup, marks its official debut as ITA Airways’ loyalty programme tailored for young travellers and their families. 

Families are the core of the new loyalty programme

Children aged two to sixteen can now enrol in Volare and automatically join Avventura. Similar to the programme for adults, Avventura initially grants access to the Smart Club and allows members to progress, accumulating points, and advancing into superior clubs such as Plus, Premium, and Executive. Volare has also introduced the "Create a Family" feature, enabling members to transfer non-qualifying Volare points, up to a maximum of 100,000 per year, among members of a designated group. A family can be formed by linking the Volare profiles of at least one adult and one minor, up to a maximum of two adults and six minors.

“A customised and personalised product for all members”

“Avventura is the third subprogram within Volare, following those tailored for the corporate and SME sectors,- says Emiliana Limosani, CCO ITA Airways & CEO Volare. -Our ongoing effort is to provide a customised and personalised product for all members. We have already reached over 1.8 million members in just two years, now including children and young people who, alongside their families, choose our company for their travel.”

Avventura members will benefit from services by Volare partners

Just like the Volare programme members, with Avventura younger travellers will accrue Volare points through the purchase of flights sold and operated by ITA Airways, as well as by utilising products and services offered by Volare programme partners. They can also redeem accumulated Volare points for tickets to destinations served by ITA Airways through Cash&Points or avail themselves of services from the programme's partners. Qualifying Volare points will ultimately facilitate access to higher clubs, providing associated benefits. Volare plans to expand its offerings for younger flyers by collaborating with selected partners to provide a broader range of exclusive services and benefits dedicated to Avventura programme members. 

In 2024 the Marche’s focus remains on bolstering key markets such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while reaching out to the US and Saudi Arabia.  

International arrivals are growing 

“Currently, 80% of tourism in the Marche originates from within Italy, with only 20% coming from abroad,-  said Marco Bruschini director of ATIM, Agency for Tourism and Internationalization of the Marche, at the recent ITB fair in Berlin. -Therefore, we have intensified our efforts to promote the Marche extensively across international markets, and the initial data for 2023 validates our strategy. We've observed a notable 10% rise in arrivals and a 12% increase in overnights.” 

The Marche will attend the May Arabian Travel Market

“Our efforts in France have been promising- continues Bruschini, - especially with the success of our fully-booked direct flight from Ancona to Paris. We also operate flights to London and Munich. To further stimulate arrivals we have planned promotional campaigns in these countries and we will be attending the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai from 5 to 7 May.” 

Reaching out to the US and Saudi Arabia 

The Marche will also be present at the most significant Italian trade fairs and will initiate co-marketing initiatives with foreign operators. A significant digital promotion project due to commence is in collaboration with the Conero consortium and various tourist attractions such as the Frasassi Caves.

“We have also planned two missions in the USA, in Texas in the first half of the year and in the second half we will extend our outreach to Saudi Arabia, leveraging our testimonial Roberto Mancini's appointment as the coach of the Saudi Arabia national team to facilitate our entry into this market.”

The Hilton Garden Inn Milan Malpensa is reopening after a complex restyling operation and under the new Della Frera Group management.  

A restaurant, meeting rooms, fitness centre and parking

The hotel closed for almost a year to allow for its renovation and now offers a total of 143 rooms, to which are added public areas specially designed to create a flexible and sustainable open space. The business area has four meeting rooms and there is a bar and restaurant as well as a shop open 24/7, a fitness centre, laundry service and indoor and outdoor parking.

“It is a crucial transit point for many travellers and professionals”

"We are delighted to announce the opening of such an important and prestigious property as the Hilton Garden Inn Milan Malpensa, in a crucial transit point for travellers and professionals, - says Guido Della Frera, founder and president of the group. -This new property joins the Double Tree in Solbiate, thus guaranteeing around 400 rooms in the area. The Malpensa hotel, which has entailed not only the remodelling of the rooms, but also a complete renovation of all the facilities as well as the interiors and exteriors. It is a further step in our expansion and is fundamental to meet the needs of our guests and provide them with maximum levels of comfort."

The ancient harbour-city of Ostia Antica is Rome's answer to Pompeii and is a must-see archaeological site.

The ancient site is just 30 kilometres from Rome

Ostia Antica is quite easy to reach from the capital. Being just some 30 kilometres away, it is close to Rome’s international Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino airport. The ancient site is just half an hour from the city on the trains that depart every 20 minutes from Rome’s Piramide train station, which connects with the Metro Line B. This ancient harbour-city, which once had over 100,000 inhabitants, was an important naval and trading base, built by the emperor Claudius on the coast in 42 A.D., and today is the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park. 

An example of what an ancient Roman city looked like

Not to be confused with the little borgo (town) of Ostia Antica which is a five-minute walk away and developed around the medieval Castle of Pope Julius II, it is worth spending two or three hours walking around the ancient Roman town and port. The site is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10.30 o 16.30, and audio guides in various languages are available at the entrance. While it is less majestic than Pompeii, what makes it quite unique is that it is one of the best examples of what an ancient Roman town looked like. Visitors can see the layout of the different city neighbourhoods such as the business district, residential apartment buildings and aristocratic villas exactly where they were originally built. 

 

The ancient theatre is the symbol of Ostia Antica

Many of the buildings have been preserved up to the second floor, adding to the sense of what the city really looked like, and there are remains of mosaic floors and columns throughout the site.The Decumanus maximum which was the ancient main street has religious buildings shops and warehouses, and the forum or main square has the remains of a large temple. Ostia Antica’s most symbolic building is the theatre and it is still used for concerts and theatrical performances during the summer months. 

Ostia Lido is a popular seaside resort

The modern town of Ostia, also called Ostia Lido, a few kilometres west of the park is on the sea. It has modern apartment blocks, commercial streets and many rental homes and apartments, and for its golden sands and lido beaches it is a popular day-tripper destination from Rome. For information: www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it

On 1 April American Airlines is to introduce Flagship® First on flights between New York JFK and Rome Fiumicino.

The only US airline to offer first class between Italy and the US

American Airlines is the only US airline to offer first class on routes between Italy and the United States. "Considering the strong market demand for the upcoming summer season, it is only right that Rome Fiumicino should receive this prestigious service," said José Freig, vice president international operations. The pluses included in the first-class ticket guarantee exclusive access to personalized services on international flights, speeding up procedures at security controls and offering access to exclusive services such as high speed wi-fi and amenity kits fromShinola and D.S. & Durga.

Four classes on board American Airlines’ Boeing 777-300s

Flagship® First will be available throughout the 2024 summer season on the New York-Rome route, operated by Boeing 777-300 aircraft, and offering passengers a choice of four travel experiences: Flagship® First, Flagship® Business, Premium Economy and Main Cabin. From 6 June, connections between Fiumicino and JFK will double thanks to the introduction of the second daily flight between the two cities, and this summer American will operate up to seven flights a day from Rome Fiumicino to the United States of America. 

Rome is preferred by premium travellers 

"The decision of American Airlines to choose Rome as the first destination in Continental Europe to welcome First Class service is a source of great pride, - said Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer of Aeroporti di Roma.  -This confirms a trend that is firmly positioning Rome in the preferences of the premium segments of demand. This reflects the path of qualitative excellence undertaken by our airport and is a further demonstration of the central role that Rome plays for American travellers, and which has been constantly growing over recent years."

The 4-star Hotel Atilius in Limone sul Garda and the Artnatur Dolomites on the Alpe di Siusi are the two latest Blu Hotels properties to open. 

Lakeside views, or healing wood for the interiors 

The Hotel Atilius joins the Royal Village, also in Limone sul Garda, overlooks the lake and is surrounded by a 5,000 sqm park. It offers 61 rooms and a swimming pool with a view. The Artnatur Dolomites is another four-star hotel that will reopen in May, in time for the summer season. Situated at an altitude of 1,000 metres, it has 42 rooms furnished with five different types of South Tyrolean wood - pine, spruce from the Alpe di Siusi, larch, oak and walnut, which combined, according to their healing properties, create an atmosphere of wellbeing. 

An indoor, and an outdoor saltwater pool

A heated indoor pool and an integrated whirlpool are also available to guests, there is a large panoramic glass façade that brings  the natural surroundings into the spa, and the outdoor saltwater pool is perfect during the summer season. TheArtnatur Dolomites is part of the Vitalpina Hotels South Tyrol.

“A greater focus on increasingly exclusive properties”

Both properties will be part of the BH Collection: a selection of properties ranging from boutique to design and business hotels. "The integration of these two new hotels confirms our commitment, passion and desire for continuous growth, with a greater focus on increasingly exclusive properties, in line with today's more demanding and knowledgeable clientele," says Blu Hotels president Nicola Risatti. The brand today comprises 30 hotels and villages, for a total of over 3,100 rooms and over one million overnights per year.

For many travellers food is a major consideration when planning a holiday and, while Italian cuisine with its delicious pastas, pizzas, and gelatos comes out very high on most personal preferences, many Europeans say that their favourite meal is breakfast. 

But which European countries offer the best breakfast?  To answer this question the online travel agency weloveholidays surveyed over 60 cities, factoring in the number of bakeries, breakfast cafes, coffee and tea shops, and the average price of coffee in each. 

And the top city for morning gourmets are both Italian: Rome and Milan. 

Italy’s capital took the top spot as the best city for breakfast enthusiasts thanks to its 1,660 breakfast cafés, 240 bakeries and 394 coffee shops. And Italy’s famous coffee is also very affordable in the Eternal City, at an average of just €1.50 per cup.  Milan, Italy’s second largest city, follows in second place with its 1,237 breakfast cafés, 197 bakeries and 323 coffee shops where you can get your coffee for an average of €1.92, while Naples, Italy’s third most populous city and the home of piazza, ranked 7th with just 660 breakfast cafés.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

West of Sicily is a brand representing 17 Sicilian towns and  private operators in the province of Trapani. 

“West of Sicily offers integrated and unique products”  

dalì"We believe in working together to promote our destinations, and so we created the West of Sicily brand, which offers integrated and unique products.-  said Rosalia D'Alì, president of the DMO West of Sicily who we met at the ITB in Berlin. -Today we are positioned in the Italian and European markets. We have a portal in five languages, we are present on social networks and we organize incoming events, press tours and fam trips. 

Looking at Europe and also America

“We are working to transform the DMO into a DMSI, bringing together operators who have complementary offers for targeted packages that can be proposed at trade fairs, and also through online sales. We are not only promoting the destination, but also aiming to offer products that can be sold to tourists. At the moment we are looking at the European market, but we are already looking ahead to the USA thanks to the capacity of our airports.” 

“You need at least five days to enjoy it fully”

D’Ali stressed that Western Sicily is a journey of discovery. “It brings together many forms of tourism, unlike areas that have just one attraction.  Being a fairly small area in Western Sicily you can find a variety of attractions ,from small villages to the exceptional coastline, and from the islands to the Caribbean beach of San Vito Lo Capo. We also  have two archaeological parks: Segeste, Selinunte. And the history of the Phoenicians, as well as the kore recent history of the Florios and Marsala, not to mention the salt pans of Trapani. In short, Western Sicily is always a discovery and you need at least five days to enjoy it fully.”

ItaliAbsolutely made a splash in Las Vegas this week with a presentation for 400 enthusiastic buyers.

Italiabsolutely’s presentation was a resounding success 

The presentation of the digital portal ItaliAbsolutely by Travel Quotidiano at the Las Vegas Travel Agent Forum proved to be a resounding success, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of over 400 buyers. Held y at the Paris Las Vegas Casino & Hotel, the presentation garnered unprecedented interest and appreciation from the travel creators present. 

Putting Italy on the map for American travel specialists

Ligia Hofnar and Quirino Falessi of the Travel Media Group took center stage to introduce the English-language portal, tailored exclusively for foreign markets and showcasing Italy as a prime tourist destination. From the great art cities to quaint villages, and from extraordinary experiences to a plethora of accommodation options, ItaliAbsolutely offers a comprehensive overview of what Italy has to offer, and it is updated daily with fresh news, views and reports.

A significant milestone for the portal and the Travel Media Group

The overwhelming response from the buyers underscored the potential of this innovative media product. Attendees also expressed their admiration for the print issue of Italiabsolutely which was distributed among the 1,200 US buyers present at the Las Vegas event. Joining forces with Italian partners Italia Highlights, Keys of Italy, Frasassi Caves and  City of Messina, ItaliAbsolutely’s relevance was bolstered at the Las Vegas event, marking a significant milestone for both the portal and the Travel Media Group.

 

 

 

 

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