Monaci delle Terre Nere has returned to Dubai to promote the property and further strengthen its role in the high-end outbound market. 

Travel Hashtag Advisory: an exclusive format 

The Sicilian luxury resort has chosen to rely once again on Travel Hashtag Advisory, this time participating in “Table for 9”, the global strategic consulting boutique's most exclusive relational format, conceived as a true one-brand show.

Suites and villas converted from old farmhouses

Located on the slopes of Mount Etna on a 25-hectare organic estate, the resort combines essential elegance, well-spaced architecture, farm-to-table cuisine and an approach to sustainability that does not compromise on comfort. Suites and villas converted from old farmhouses, artisanal attention to detail and a philosophy of “natural luxury” have consolidated the resort's position as an elite destination for international travellers seeking intimate, authentic experiences deeply rooted in Sicilian culture.

“The UAE market is attentive and sophisticated”

“Returning to Dubai after last year's success was a natural choice. The United Arab Emirates market is attentive, sophisticated and receptive to an idea of luxury that is not limited to aesthetics, but stems from the territory, sustainability and the quality of relationships. “Table for 9” offered us the opportunity to tell our story in the most authentic and unhurried way: through dialogue, attention to detail and the ability to create real connections with professionals who share our vision,” said Giovanna Manganaro, general manager of Monaci delle Terre Nere.

Representing Sicilian excellence

With its return to the United Arab Emirates, Monaci delle Terre Nere continues its internationalization process, bringing to the world a model of hospitality that combines nature, culture and high quality, and confirming its vocation to represent Sicilian excellence in the most prestigious global of contexts.

The knock-on effect of the Olympics on the Italian hotel industry is being felt, at least judging by the data released by BWH Hotels.

Revenues up over 30% across Italy

Confirmed revenues for the Olympic and Paralympic period exceed 30% across Italy: in many of the areas most involved in the Games with bookings having exceeded 2025 levels. Milan is leading this trend, having already surpassed last year's results well in advance. The city has also reached 80% of the rooms that are historically booked for the entire February-March period, an exceptional advance compared to previous years. If we also consider the hinterland together with Milan, the area as a whole shows RevPAR up 18% and ADR up 64% compared to the same period in 2025.

Positive growth for all Olympic destinations 

The positive trend is not limited to Milan and its hinterland: other Olympic destinations are also recording a significant increase in bookings compared to the same period last year. In Lombardy other locations show an average of 27% more rooms booked and a 55% higher ADR, with peaks in Valtellina. Veneto shows equally marked growth, with greater pressure in the final weeks of the Games: in particular, the Verona area shows a +22% increase in rooms booked with an ADR up 18%; Padua and Treviso show a +24% increase in rooms booked with an ADR up 5%, and Venice and Mestre recorded a +36% increase in room bookings with an ADR increase of 5%. 

“The real value is expressed in the long term”

The Olympics effect is therefore proving to be a driving force not only for the period of the event, but for the entire 2026 season, as Sara Digiesi, CEO of BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe, points out: "We must remember that the impact of the Olympics goes beyond immediate performance: the real value is expressed in the long term, generating benefits not only for hotels but for the entire economy, thanks to the attraction of new flows, the strengthening of the reputation of a destination and widespread benefits for the entire tourism sector. The current signs are very promising and allow us to start this extraordinary year with a solid foundation and a network ready to take full advantage of the opportunities generated by the Games."

For the Winter Olympics Airbnb has already activated 24/7 customer support.

Customer service is a priority

Over 600 Italian-speaking operators and the creation of teams dedicated to handling requests related to Milan Cortina are part of a larger £30 million investment in customer service, in Italy in 2025. Airbnb has also introduced significant changes to reduce avoidable cancellations by hosts. Since they were implemented, the cancellation rate in Italy decreased by almost 50% on an annual basis. In the rare event that a cancellation does occur, guests are protected by AirCover for guests and the Airbnb team will assist them in finding alternative accommodation or processing a refund.

“Making the Games…safe and accessible for everyone"

Ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony, the company went one step further, investing £1 million in measures to ensure rapid and effective assistance in the event of unforeseen circumstances related to bookings during the Games, with the aim of minimizing any inconvenience to guests. “Our goal at Airbnb is to offer every guest the best possible experience, especially as Italy prepares to welcome the world to Milano Cortina 2026. From expanding Italian-language support to strengthening security protocols and investing in proactive guest assistance, we are determined to make these Games memorable, safe and accessible for everyone," said Matteo Sarzana, country manager Airbnb Italy

24/7 support  during the event

Guests attending the Games will be able to contact Airbnb customer support directly through the app, ensuring that assistance is always available. For those travelling alone and needing immediate assistance for safety reasons, the emergency button integrated into the app guarantees a timely response, confirming Airbnb's focus on guest well-being as well as service convenience.

Monica Lisi

The Giro d'Italia is a key driver for promoting the “country system” said Ivana Jelinic, CEO of ENIT at the BIT travel trade exhibition in Milan.

“2025 was a ‘crazy’ year for inbound tourism”

The Giro d’Italia is an extraordinary opportunity for international tourism growth, said Jelinic, CEO of the Italian national tourist board, speaking at a panel that put the spotlight on the bicycle competition, now in its 109th edition. “The Giro is the perfect vehicle for showcasing Italy in over 200 countries worldwide,- said Jelinic.  -It is a serpentine that winds its way through the country, highlighting its unique features and values in a particularly positive scenario: 2025 was a “crazy” year for inbound tourism, and 2026 is shaping up to be another record year.”

ITA Airways is a sponsor of the Giro 

ITA Airways is among the sponsors of the Giro, scheduled for May. “ITA Airways continues its tradition of supporting sporting events,-  said the company's president, Sandro Pappalardo. -ITA is a cog in the ’Italian country system’ that support sexcellence, of which the Giro is a prime example. Sport is a fundamental driving force for ITA, inspired by the resilience, perseverance and team spirit that are essential for healthy and shared growth."

There are 170 BWH hotels in Italy

Pappalardo's vision was echoed by Sara Digiesi, CEO of BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe: “For the second year running, we are partners in an event of the highest symbolic value. With our 170 BWH-branded hotels in over 100 destinations, we believe in the Giro's ability to bring people together, it is an event capable of creating deep bonds with the territory it crosses.”

"The Giro d'Italia generates some 58,000 room nights” 

In terms of tourist spending, the numbers add up, as Paolo Bellino, CEO and general manager of RCS Sports & Events, explained: "The Giro d'Italia generates some 58,000 room nights and is an extraordinary driver for our tourism industry, with indirect spending of over €1.4 billion and €2.1 billion in the months following the event. The next challenge will be to network all the iconic cycling routes in Italy, creating a connection that encourages people to return again."

ITB Berlin 2026, taking place from 3–5 March at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, is officially fully booked. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the world’s leading B2B travel trade show confirms its global relevance with more than 160 countries represented, strong ticket sales and a high-profile convention. Angola is the official Host Country.

The show is experiencing strong growth in Asia, the Arab world and in cruise, travel technology, medical tourism and adventure travel segments. Major national pavilions include Thailand, Egypt, Türkiye and Italy, reinforcing ITB Berlin’s role as a global marketplace for innovation, dialogue and sustainable growth.

New highlights include MIA, a 24/7 chatbot; expanded ITB Guided Tours focusing on AI, resilient destinations and hotel tech; the rebranded Talent Hub for young professionals; a growing Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion; and six fully booked Travel Technology halls featuring AI innovators, payment solutions and hospitality software providers.

All global regions are strongly represented: the Americas (ahead of ITB Americas launch), Africa with Host Country Angola, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Key segments such as Luxury Travel, LGBTQ+ Tourism, MICE, Business Travel and Adventure Travel continue to expand.

Under the slogan “Leading Tourism into Balance”, the ITB Berlin Convention 2026 will gather 400 speakers addressing AI (including agentic commerce), regenerative sustainability, longevity, inclusive travel and new payment ecosystems.

Special anniversary events, exhibitions and networking formats will celebrate 60 years of legacy. With ITB 360°, its year-round innovation platform, ITB Berlin further strengthens its position as the global hub for tourism innovation.

RHC Group closes 2025 with double-digit growth and a “Solid demand trend.” 

Four properties in Italy

The four RHC Group properties in Italy, Palazzo Montemartini Rome, La Plage Resort Taormina, Hotel Raito and Paradiso Relais in Vietri sul Mare, are a key indicator for the destinations themselves, including Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Taormina, with a mix of clientele in the luxury sector. In addition to Italian guests, the main markets include the United States and the UK with a clientele strongly oriented towards experiential travel.

High performance also for MICE events

The Group also posted a record performance for the MICE segment, with corporate meetings, weddings, private events and high-profile events, such as the Taormina Film Festival, which involved La Plage Resort, and the Giffoni Film Festival with the Hotel Raito, which hosted over 250 private events during the season. Palazzo Montemartini Rome recorded a 20% increase in corporate events over the previous year, with ever-increasing demand from television and film productions.

“We look forward to 2026 with confidence”

“2025 was a year of consolidation and acceleration of our premium repositioning,- says Giuseppe Marchese, RHC Group’s CEO. -We look forward to 2026 with confidence, supported by very solid demand trends in international markets and a strategy that focuses on quality, people, sustainability and experience.”

Focused on enhancing the guest experience

This year, alongside activities dedicated to individual facilities, the RHC Group's strategic plan is strongly focused on training and developing staff and enhancing the guest experience. This is now one of the distinctive pillars of the RHC Group's hospitality model, with a further evolution  of digital tools and operational processes planned to support the guest experience.

Florence is Italy's new Gastronomic Capital for 2026 according to BookdiaFork. 

Florence and Jerez de la Frontera together

Together with Jerez de la Frontera, Spain's Gastronomic Capital for 2026, these cities will host gastronomic events and much more. At the Olympic Tasting in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Florence was officially named Italian Gastronomic Capital, with Bologna and San Benedetto del Tronto also among the nominees. The event, organized by Beverly Cool and sponsored by the Beverly Group and the Papa Group with Dolceamaro and Nutfruit Italia, celebrated Italian excellence in confectionery, wine and tourism.

A gastronomic bridge between Italy and Spain

The nomination of Florence as Gastronomic Capital 2026 underlines the Tuscan city’s fundamental role in the Italian culinary scene. Alongside Florence, Jerez has already been recognized for its extraordinary gastronomy, particularly its fortified wines and Andalusian culinary tradition. The future partnership between these two cities will build a cultural and gastronomic bridge between Italy and Spain, promoting exchanges and collaboration between chefs and producers. The Olympic Tasting was attended by industry experts and enthusiasts of energy-boosting dried fruit, as well as winter sports idols like champion skier Gustav Thöni.  

Promoting gastronomic tourism

With this nomination, Florentine restaurants and trattorias will have the opportunity to organize exclusive events and menus, creating partnerships with Jerez to develop joint initiatives that strengthen the bond between the two cities. This will not only promote gastronomic tourism but also create a new benchmark for lovers of good food and wine. The Italian and European platform BookdiaFork.com is, and will continue to be, a symbol of our gastronomic identity. With the appointment of Florence, it is positioned at the heart of an alliance that celebrates and promotes Italy’s culinary culture, ensuring that the future of catering remains firmly in the hands of those who know and love its value.