South Tyrol’s Sonnweiss has an environmental conscience.

Set in Luson, just 40 minute from Bolzano in the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, Sonnweiss, a luxury 5-star wellness family hotel preserves and protects the environment. It offers families a wide variety of educational and enriching activities that ensure that the younger generations grow to appreciate their surroundings. Junior guests can collect their own eggs in the morning for breakfast, feed the animals at the farm and also freely explore the 10,000sqm natural playground in the South Tyrolean mountain landscape, surrounded by fertile meadows and majestic forests. 

Activities for the whole family

The hotel has luxuriously appointed family studios and suites, gourmet dining and a children’s restaurant as well as a water park and swimming pools, four of which are for children. There are also themed game rooms, an adventure park, a ski area for beginners and a 1,000sqm spa as well as an organic culinary garden and a farm that supplies the hotel’s restaurants. Sonnweiss is proud of its mission to instill in its guests its genuine devotion to, and appreciation for nature.

For information: www.sonnwies.com/familienhotel-suedtirol

At Borgo Pignano in rural Tuscany sustainability takes pride of place  

Borgo Pignano, just an hour south of Florence, is a Tuscan estate in a nature reserve, on a 750-acre certified organic farm dating back to the 12th century. The property has a remarkable commitment to sustainable tourism, and is a founding member of Beyond Green, a global portfolio of properties that exemplify sustainable leadership.  



Environmentally friendly, locally sourced products 

In 2020 it received a Green Globe Certification, in 2019 a Condé Nast Johansens Award of Excellence in Sustainability and most recently was awarded the Green Michelin Star for its farm-to-table restaurant. The villa, the farmhouses and the apartments of Borgo Pignano have all been restored using environmentally friendly products and materials such as locally sourced stone and slate, organic plaster and eco-paints. Here the past is used to think forward and perpetuate a circular economy that is crucial to sustainable development.

For information: www.borgopignano.com

Ita Airways is doubling down on its commitment to the London market, with increased investments in London City Airport from 1 April 1, 2024.

The route will be operated by Airbus A220-100s

The new route connecting London City to Rome Fiumicino will respond to the substantial demand from both leisure and business travellers in the two capitals. The aircraft on the route will be the Airbus A220-100, renowned for its suitability for London City's operational conditions, which necessitate the use of smaller aircraft with specific technologies. 

Business and economy seats and available Wifi

Operating twelve flights per week, the A220-100 is equipped with innovative features to enhance the passenger experience, including wider seats, personalised lighting, larger windows, and more spacious overhead bins. The cabin boasts a total of 125 seats and is configured with Business and Economy service classes. The reclining leather seats come with USB electrical sockets and the A220-100 offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing travellers to choose packages tailored to their needs.

London City-Milan Linate will operate through the summer

Simultaneously, Ita Airways is introducing a fifth frequency on the London City-Milan Linate route, effective from 10 April, 2024, for the summer season. This addition brings the weekly frequencies between Milan and London City Airport to a total of 31, with Airbus A220-100s also deployed on this route.

Tourism road transport is being discriminated against says Franco Gattinoni of  Confcommercio.

Confcommercio asked for a reform of limited traffic zone access

"The government and the Ministry of Transport are not showing due sensitivity for tour bus companies, a key segment of organized tourism, or for the industry in general,- said Franco Gattinoni, president of Confcommercio's Federation of Organized Tourism.  -We asked for a reform that would integrate the national criteria defining access to ZTL limited traffic zones,  thus abolishing chaotic ad hoc measures by individual municipalities. Instead, we find ourselves with a ridiculous regulation that discriminates only against tourism road transport."

“The proposal does not lower the cost for tour buses” 

The draft of the Draghi government's law under discussion should establish which cities can make use of the ZTL limited traffic zones while reducing the administrative burden on users, Gattinoni said.

“Instead, the proposed text lowers the cost for all categories except tour buses, a branch of organized tourism which is fundamental for group travel. Today an M3 bus pays €150 to pass through the ZTL in Milan and €160 in Rome. With these proposals, the price could shoot up to €480. So much for reducing administrative burdens.”

With Pesaro taking over as Italy’s Capital of Culture next year, and Pesaro and Urbino jointly bidding for Cultural Capital of Europe 2033, a group of European journalists was warmly welcomed by the municipal authorities and Confesercenti Pesaro and Urbino. 

Greeted by the tourism councilors of Urbino and Pesaro

In an atmosphere of history, commitment and future prospects, the group was greeted by Marianna Vetri, deputy mayor of Urbino, tourism councillor Roberto Cioppi and the president of the association of tourist guides, Carla Rossi, and then welcomed to Pesaro by Daniele Vimini, cultural councillor and deputy mayor of the coastal city. 

Pesaro

Urbino

“We were one of the first areas to embrace organic farming”

Daniele Vimini, cultural councillor and deputy mayor of the coastal city

"For us it is of primary importance to promote the well-being, culture and excellent gastronomy of our territory, starting with organic farming which we were one of the first areas to embrace," said deputy mayor Vetri, who also stressed the importance of Urbino's location, between the sea and the mountains, and its high quality of life. "The candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2033, together with Pesaro, is seen as an opportunity to further enhance our territory, and we would hope to see a return of the Faro-Urbino railway, a project on which we are working in cooperation with the ministry.”  

“Urbino’s centre is a place where various epochs overlap”

Included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998, Urbino is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of this recognition. Councillor for tourism Roberto Cioppi, emphasized the importance of the historic centre of Urbino, which boasts a unique harmony, being a place where various epochs overlap. "The Counts of Montefeltro played a crucial role in attracting the great personalities of the period, and in contributing to the birth of humanism, and then this is the city of the great painter Raphael". Next year, Carla Rossi announced, a major exhibition in Urbino’s Ducal Palace will present works by Federico Barocci, the Urbino painter who lived in the late 1500s, on loan from museums around the world.

Demand is soaring for non-hotel accommodation

The collaboration between the municipality of Pesaro Urbino, coastal cities such as Fano and Confesercenti is evident in the support for Pesaro as Cultural Capital of Italy 2024 and in the 2033 candidature of the two cities.

"In recent years we have promoted our artistic, cultural, environmental, and food and wine heritage with the utmost professionalism," said Cioppi, who also noted the growing demand for non-hotel accommodation. -There is more and more demand for this type of stay, and a lot of focus on quality with the construction of spas and swimming pools, we hope to see more entrepreneurs investing in this sector".

Some 14 towns have asked for traffic limitations on the famous Amalfi State Road 163. 

Limiting traffic on the Amalfi Drive

Fourteen towns in the Campania region are asking the Italian government and parliament to amend the highway code, and authorize a territorial limitation to vehicle traffic along the Amalfitana 163 state road. This appeal to the institutions to definitively resolve the situation would, they say, benefit the quality of life of residents, as well as the experience for tourists and the environment, in one of Italy's most enchanting and scenic spots.  

“This is a move against overtourism”

"A good example of the work Cittàslow does is the proposal of the territorial ZTL limited traffic zone to the towns on the Amalfi Coast. This is a move against overtourism and it has received the support of the mayors of Cittaslow Italy,” said Laura Pernazza, Mayor of Amelia and newly elected Coordinator of Cittaslow Italy.   "This proposal is also supported by a large number of associations, as well as by the signatures of over 10 thousand citizens" – added the Mayor of Amalfi Cittaslow, Daniele Milano. For information: www.cittaslow.it

Ita Airways has announced it will drop out of Milan’s Malpensa Airport in January 2024. 

There is strong competition on the New York-Milan route

On 8 January 2024 the last ItA Airways flaghts, AZ605 from New York JFK, will touch down in Malpensa, marking the end of an era. The cutback is due to the strong competition on the New York-Milan long-haul market which is covered by leading US carriers as well as La Compagnie and Emirates Airlines.

ITA Airways will focus on Milan’s Linate city airport

Ita Airways says it will remain focused on its feeder role into Milan’s Linate Airport from European destinations. Linate in a city airport which handles medium and short-haul fights. 

Luxury tourism in Italy is not only flourishing but poised to skyrocket, according to a recent study conducted by the Italian national tourism board ENIT, in collaboration with Unioncamere and with technical support from Isnart.  

The study predicts a remarkable growth in the number of Italian 5-star hotels, which are set to increase from 682 to 702 next year, with a further rise to 712 in 2025. According to the findings, 20% of international visitors are drawn to Italy for its lifestyle, which they associate with exclusivity.

This year alone, luxury hotels in Italy have recorded an estimated 11.3 million overnight stays, for the most part in its fabled art cities and exclusive coastal and mountain resorts.  The challenge now facing Italy’s tourism stakeholders and contributors is that of steering high-spending visitors seeking new experiences towards unsung second-tier destinations, which have huge potential and are places of unparalleled allure and charm.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

This winter Ryanair will operate 28 routes to Turin, including two new routes from Belfast and Oporto, as well as a significant increase in frequencies to Catania.

Ryanair will operate over 220 weekly Turin flights

The low-cost airline confirms two aircraft based at Turin’s Caselle Airport, which will operate over 220 weekly flights (+100% compared to the pre-Covid period). "This winter we will have two new routes from Belfast and Oporto (28 in total), as well as increased frequencies from three other popular destinations: Catania, Birmingham and Bristol,- said Mauro Bolla, Ryanair’s head of communications for Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Romania. – By basing two aircraft in Turin, for an investment of €200 million and supporting over 1,800 jobs, including some 60 highly-paid pilots, flight attendants and engineers, we are supporting the long-term growth of the region and providing a much-needed boost to the local economy."

“The Catania flights are Turin’s first route in terms of passenger volumes”

“In addition to the new international destinations, there is also a significant increase in the number of seats on sale on the Catania-Turin route, which is the first route in terms of passenger volumes at our airport and which, also thanks to the advantageous fares announced by Ryanair, is likely to set new records," said Andrea Andorno, managing director of Torino Airport.

B&B Hotels opens its sixty-seventh hotel in Italy, in Quarto D'Altino (Venice).

The 7th  B&B Hotels property in the Veneto region

Official confirmation of the opening of the B&B Hotel Quarto D'Altino, the sixty-seventh property of the Swiss company, comes from the group's president and managing director Italy, Slovenia and Hungary, Liliana Comitini. This is the Group’s seventh property in the Veneto region and has 80 rooms and a car park.

“Our goal is to become Italy’s benchmark for value-for-money”

"Its strategic location makes the B&B Hotel Quarto D'Altino a suitable solution for both business and leisure stays in the Veneto region," says Liliana Comitini. "Our goal remains that of becoming the benchmark hotel chain in Italy in the value-for-money segment, with a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. And to do this we are continuing our tight pipeline of openings.” 

Hnh Hospitality’s total turnover from direct management has topped €100 million for the first time: a growth of 47% compared to last year (€71.4 million). 

Significant expansion thanks to new openings

This performance reflects the gradual growth in room occupancy rates in the post-Covid years, from 41.3% in 2021 to 64.2% in 2022, and 73.5% in 2023. A similar trend is seen in average rates, rising from €143 in 2022 to €158.2 in 2023. Following the significant expansion of the Hnh Hospitality portfolio with the opening of Almar Giardino in Costanza, Sicily last year, the group then launched the Pullman Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa in Villasimius, Sardinia. With this recent acquisition, the luxury resort segment has increased its weight within the company's portfolio, moving from 25% to 31% of turnover. Despite the increase in supply, contributing to Hnh's overall turnover, the group still recorded a like-for-like increase in turnover of 30%.

“For 2024 we expect further growth in turnover”

“We are particularly satisfied with these results” says Hnh Hospitality’s CEO, Luca Boccato “In 2023, we exceeded €100 million in turnover for the first time. This is due to our diversified portfolio, both by destination and type of product. For 2024 we expect further growth in turnover on a like-for-like basis, thanks to a marginal increase in occupancy and in the average room rate. We will soon announce three new openings in the business and city hotel segment with further expansion in an increasingly multi-brand development logic.”