Turnover grows for the Belstay group, which closed 2023 with a total of €19 million across its four hotels in Milan, Mestre, and Rome. 

“In 2024 we will focus on the potential of the brand”

This a 25% increase over the pre-Covid era and is attributed partly to a more than 30% increase in average revenues per available room (RevPAR) compared to the city market benchmarks. Additionally, the average employment rate has surpassed expectations, reaching over 70%. “2024 will focus on an operational readiness to tap into the potential of the brand,- says Belstay CEO, Roberto Di Tullio. -Our aim is to boost turnover, primarily by increasing average prices and enhancing our restaurant under the Seguimi brand. And we be putting emphasis on the MICE sector and new summer events.”

Guests of over 50 different nationalities

In 2023, approximately a thousand events were hosted, with the Rome Aurelia and Milan Assago hotels in the spotlight. These events largely involved companies in the pharmaceutical, training, and beauty sectors. Belstay welcomed guests of over 50 different nationalities, with foreign clients at 68% of the total. Italy remains the primary market with 32%, followed by the United States at 7%, while Latin American visitors contribute significantly to the leisure segment, which now represents 22% of the total.

Enhancing services and adding two swimming pools

Looking ahead to 2024, plans include enhancing the Seguimi brand's catering services, opening two swimming pools in Linate and Venezia Mestre, and expanding the events and leisure areas. There are also ambitions to target cities such as Naples, Turin, Florence, Verona, or Bologna, with the goal of having ten to twelve hotels. 

Urbino is a small and magnificent hilltop Renaissance town in the Marche region. 

Perfect for a day trip

Just half an hour inland from the seaside resort of Pesaro, and one of the most important centres of the Italian Renaissance, Urbino has preserved intact its ancient charm and architectural heritage. It can easily be visited in one day, and the best itinerary starts in the historical centre at the Porta Valbona gate in the old 16th-century defensive walls, then moving on to the Ducal Palace and the Cathedral.

Priceless works of art in the Marche National Gallery

The Ducal Palace is one of the most magnificent examples of the Italian Renaissance and is also home to the Marche National Gallery. Building on it started in 1444 on a design by Duke Federico da Montefeltro, who wanted his palace to surpass all other princely residences in Italy, thus making Urbino the prince's Ideal City. Its splendid gallery has one of the most important art collections from the Renaissance period, including many priceless paintings by Raphael, Piero della Francesca and Titian.

Raphael was born and worked in Urbino

The famous painter Raphael was born in Urbino in 1483 and spent his childhood training in his father, Giovanni Santi's, workshop which is now located on the ground floor of the Casa Raffaello house. With works related to Raphael's life and times, on the first floor of this muesum, there are copies of his paintings and various tributes by other artists. In the bedroom there is a fresco depicting the Madonna and Child, considered to be a youthful work done with his father, and in the small courtyard a well and a wash basin where the great painter, like his father before him, ground the colours for his masterpieces.



 For information: www.comune.urbino.pu.it 

The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany has reopened, unveiling a comprehensive renovation of nine of its eleven private villas. 

Nestled in the heart of the Val D'Orcia park, a UNESCO-protected site, the estate spans over 2,000 hectares with roots tracing back approximately 900 years. Featuring historical landmarks like the ruins of a 12th-century castle, a 14th-century medieval church, the Borgo historic village now serves as the resort's focal point.  Managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the property has 42 suites, with the 11 villas positioned at its centre.

Each villa has a Land Rover Defender or a 4x4 off-road vehicle

These villas are distinctive private residences, and each one exudes a unique identity. With heated infinity pools, kitchens designed by Florentine artisan Riccardo Barthel, and terraces and gardens overlooking the picturesque landscape, they offer a bespoke experience. A novel addition for the 2024 season is the inclusion of a seven-seater Land Rover Defender or a 4x4 off-road vehicle with each villa, allowing guests to explore the region and the estate at their leisure.

A Michelin-star eatery and Italy’s only private golf club

The Club Golf Ph credits: Kevin Murray

Initially conceived as a haven for wine and gastronomy enthusiasts, the property has two restaurants: Osteria la Canonica and the Campo del Drago, a Michelin-starred eatery helmed by chef Matteo Temperini. Complementing these culinary delights is a spa in earth tones and natural hues, along with an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf. As the only private golf club in Italy, it provides exclusive access for Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco guests. The estate also has the historic cellar where the famous Brunello di Montalcino red wine is crafted. The resort's operational period will extend until 7 January 2025, and it has an exciting holiday programme brimming with engaging initiatives.

The Accor Tribe brand will make its Italian debut at Milan Malpensa.  

Family rooms and a heated rooftop pool

The Accor lifestyle brand is due to debut at Milan Malpensa, under an agreement with the Italian Amapa company which will manage the hotel. With 240 rooms, including 18 family rooms, the hotel will also have a gym, and a heated rooftop pool. The central social hub of the Tribe brand will also include a café bar, a Grab & Go corner, freely accessible lounges and co-working spaces.

“We are excited to put Italy on our map”

Along with custom-designed furniture, artwork and objects, each room will have a 55-inch Chromecast television, USB charging points at accessible heights, a Lavazza coffee machine, tea, bottled water and Kevin Murphy brand bathroom products. “After recent growth on the German and Hungarian markets, we are excited to put Italy on our map. Together with our historic partner Amapa and the hotel team led by general manager Simona Calabrese, we are eager to welcome our first guests to Milan," says Pauline Oster, vice president Tribe Europe and North Africa.

Visit Emilia, promotes the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia, and at the ITB in Berlin we spoke to its president Simone Fornasari. 

“We are in the land of the Food Valley and experiential tourism” 

“When we talk about Emilia we talk about the Food Valley. Emilia is a true Italian gastronomic treasure, even though it has so much more to offer, as it also boasts a great natural, historical, artistic and cultural heritage. We are in the land of the Slow Mix, and experiential tourism is a perfect fit for us. To date we have three main product networks: the Food and Wine network, the Culture and Castles network, and the Spa and Outdoor network,” adds Fornasari.

The main markets are Germany, Switzerland, France and the US 

"In recent years the pattern of tourism has changed a lot, especially following the health emergency of the pandemic. Now it is not only Italians who come to discover our region, we also get many foreign visitors from Germany, Switzerland, France, and America. Foreign visitors are growing more in percentage terms and, from the data we are currently collecting, the projection for the next few years sees this trend constantly growing.”  

Parma

Three networks and over 500 operators

Over the next five years Visit Emilia will continue to invest in what it has achieved this far.

“In addition to our food and wine heritage - in Emilia alone we have 20% of Italy’s protected-label products - we also have five great cultural cities. We are also investing in the region’s nature because we see that it is increasingly sought after. So, the first thing is to consolidate what we have done this far, and the second is to continue to promote sustainable and experiential nature products. We have three networks and over 500 operators, and we want to put each operator in a position of being prepared so that they can promote first their own product and then those of the other members. Networking is fundamental, and we have seen that it is a winning card, because anyone who comes to Emilia and stays a night in Parma or Piacenza or Reggio Emilia or in our hills can then go on to visit all of our region.”    

Matteo della Valle, passengers sales & marketing staff director GNV, who we met at the ITB in Berlin, told us they are aiming for a very positive season.  

2023 registered a slowdown after April

"We anticipate a positive season. Already 2023 was good overall, although the entire local transport sector had a similar trend, i.e. a strong push on bookings until April, and then a slowdown. This was due to various factors, especially the return of traffic to more exotic countries, on medium and long-haul routes, but also the economic situation and its impact on Italian families.”

Gnv staff ai ITB Berlin

“Germany is in a recession with limited spending power”

“In 2024 we expect a positive trend, for now we are a little above last year in terms of bookings. Of course, the strategy is to keep the course of bookings high through the summer season as well. There are some difficulties, for example in Germany, which is in recession for the first time since the Second World War. And so with limited spending capacity. But I must say that I feel confident. sales are moving. GNV is coming up with important capacity increases on four of the six main markets.”

What do you expect from the two new ships, Sirius and Auriga?

"It is a beautiful message from the shipowner that he continues to invest in GNV. It is significant that in 2019 we had 16 ships, today we have 28. In contrast to the passenger transport sector which had to deal with Covid, we have now grown both in the number of ships and passengers. As for the two new ships, we will put one on the Genoa-Palermo, and the other on the Genoa-Olbia. 

What are your sales channels?

"Our channels are, of course, Italian travel agencies, otas and direct sales. At present otas represent 20 % of our turnover, and I think it will remain this way for quite some time. Because, while the otas are important, real travel agencies have many things going for them, from the completion of the trip to the proximity and the expertise that represents a unique value in the distribution of the product. That is why I say that the off-line is our first channel, and it will remain so for a long time.”

"We strongly believe in the trade and continue to invest in this relationship," said Emiliana Limosani, CCO of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare, speaking at the ITB travel fair in Berlin.

“We want part of our business and leisure product to be sold by the trade”  

That the value of the partnership "since the company was set up, is objectively at a delicate stage", has never been in question Limosani added. “On the contrary, it has been strengthened, so much so that today 65% of our worldwide turnover comes from travel agencies, tour operators and travel management companies. And this is not accidental because strategically and commercially speaking we want part of our business and leisure product to be sold by the trade.”  The ITA Airways roadshows are trade-oriented, and this year “the show has already started in Southern Italy where it will tour eight cities: we began in Cagliari, then on to Bari, followed by Naples, Venice and so on.” 

The importance of the German market

The airline is present on the Italian stand at the Berlin show, together with ENIT, the Italian National Tourist Board and the regions. “We like to present ourselves together and no longer in a fragmented fashion as in the past” to underline the importance of the German market for ITA's network. "Germany is one of our main markets in Europe, we have 76 frequencies a week from Rome Fiumicino mainly, but also from Milan Linate to Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Dusseldorf. From 26 May to 23 September we will also operate Linate-Rostock charter flights. The German market is important not only for point-to-point traffic but also with a view to the “sixth freedom” connecting these cities via Rome Fiumicino and then continuing on to our long-haul destinations. Long haul is very important for ITA. In 2023, out of a global turnover of €2.4 billion, of which 2.1 billion in passenger traffic, about half, and therefore €1 billion was from our long haul routes. And while 45% came from point-to-point passengers, the remaining 55% came from passengers connecting from Europe, like on the Stuttgart-Rome-Maldives, for example.” 

A loyalty programme for young travellers and a positive 2024

The ITB is also an opportunity to take stock of the carrier's loyalty programme. “From the 1.8 million members of two years ago we are  aiming for 2.6 million by the end of 2024. Today 63% are Italians and we continue to focus on the internationalization of the programme. Other novelties for the current year include the growth of partners, “who will increase from 25 to 41, thus more than doubling,” and the launch of a new “sub-programme, in addition to those for corporate and SMEs. It is called Avventura and is for children from 2 to 16 years of age, who will have their own personal card, and like the existing programmes is divided into four clubs, Smart, Plus, Premium and Executive. Children are our travellers of the future and we want to invest in them.”  Despite the difficult international geopolitical climate, "January and February have surprised us favourably. These so-called deep winter months have seen both leisure and business customers starting to diversify, and consequently we are able to work better. This year we are offering a further 37%, after the 60% increase in 2023.” 

In her first public speech, Alessandra Priante the new president of the Italian National Tourist Board ENIT S.p.a. spoke about social sustainability at the ITB in Berlin. 

”Sustainability is not economic, it is essentially social”

"Sustainability has a basic principle. To help companies to make sustainability real. Which is to say, it is not enough to talk about it, it must become something tangible. When the customer has to choose, he must have a clear picture of what is on offer, and when the picture is also sustainable, the game is over.  However sustainability is not economic, it is essentially social.  And in this sense tourism can make a difference. What I mean is that that social sustainability means including the different territories in both the planning and development stages.”

Overtourism. A question of the quality of the product

Another point to be made is overtourism, a word I hate. And which in my opinion does not exist. There has been a lot of concern about overtourism.  And here the concept of social sustainability returns, because it is not so much the quota of visitors, but the quality of the product. That is when a territory develops, in a solid way, enhancing our country.”