April 18, 2026
The BTE Non-Hotel Tourism Exchange in Palermo from the 7 to 12 November 2023 promises to be a remarkable B2B event featuring the today and the tomorrow of non-hotel tourism innovation and growth.
SOLD OUT
Organized by Confesercenti Sicilia in Palermo, Sicily’s capital city, the 7th edition of this well-established exchange will be an exceptional platform for Italy specialists and Sicilian travel companies. The BTE’s focus on the non-hotel sector, encompasses a wide range of accommodations beyond traditional hotels, including vacation rentals, B&Bs, guesthouses, and more.
Following the three days of the educational tour to familiarize with Palermo and its surrounding area, the international buyers will engage in three insightful B2B workshops that will provide a conducive environment for networking and collaboration. Serving as a bridge between tourism professionals, these working sessions will allow local players to showcase their products and their expertise, forging partnerships with global partners who will be able to explore this captivating destination and the dynamic industry opportunities it offers.
THE PROGRAMME
Tuesday 7 November 2023
Arrival at Palermo Airport and transfer to hotel
Dinner
Wednesday 8 November 2023
Breakfast and departure for the heritage Nebrodi Park with food tastings of typical local products.
Visit to Santo Stefano di Camastro and its museum which is famous for its ceramics.
Dinner and overnight in the area.
Thursday 9 November 2023
Breakfast and departure for the heritage Madonie Park, a protected nature reserve with tastings of typical local products. Visits to some of Bagheria’s famous Art Nouveau villas. In the afternoon a historical costume reenactment and tastings of local products. Overnight in Palermo.
Friday 10 November 2023
Breakfast and departure for Monreale to visit its splendid cathedral with its gold mosaics, the most extensive after Santa Sofia in Istanbul and San Marco in Venice. Visit to the Benedictine Cloister. Return to Palermo and city visit. In the afternoon guided walking tour of Palermo to city monuments including the Palatine Chapel in the Palazzo dei Normanni, the former royal palace, the cathedral, and down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the city’s hub, the Quattro Canti, the city’s Arab-Norman route, which is Sicily’s latest UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lunch in a local restaurant followed by the B2B Workshop. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
Saturday 11 November 2023
Breakfast and transfer to the B2B workshop. Lunch on site. Dinner and overnight.
Sunday 12 November 2023
Breakfast and transfer to the B2B workshop. Lunch on site and transfer to Palermo Airport.
ItaliAbsolutely’s fam trips, a new and surefire way to unlock the magic of Italy like never before.
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Tel: +39 06.89.01.75.77
Published in Fam Trip
The tenth edition of Panorama Day—an event organised by the Fondo per l'ambiente Italiano (FAI) in collaboration with the Zegna Foundation – is planned for 10 October.
Environmental and social enhancement
Since its inception in 2014, Panorama Day has aimed to promote and spread awareness of Italy’s diverse landscapes which are integral to Italy's remarkable cultural heritage, reflecting the ingenious efforts of past generations that have been handed down embodying the inseparable interplay between nature and culture. For this year's edition, twelve FAI properties located across ten regions will be involved. 
Torre del Soccorso Ossuccio Tremezzina CO Panorama Ph credits FAI Fondo per lAmbiente Italiano 2020
The Panorama Day properties throughout Italy
The properties are: the Avio Castle in Sabbionara d'Avio in Trentino, the Masino Castle and Park in Caravino within the Canavese area, the Castle della Manta near Cuneo, Villa Flecchia and the Enrico Collection in Magnano in the Biella area, the Soccorso Tower in Tremezzina, Ossuccio not far from Como, the San Fruttuoso Abbey in Camogli, the Villa dei Vescovi in Luvigliano di Torreglia near Padua, the Infinity Hill Garden in Recanati, the San Francesco Forest in Assisi, the Villa Gregoriana Park in Tivoli, the Ieranto Bay in Massa Lubrense, and the Kolymbethra Garden in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Additionally, the Zegna Oasis in Trivero Valdilana close to Biella will be included—a project for environmental and social enhancement initiated by Ermenegildo Zegna and supported by FAI.
Enjoying recreational and leisure activities
Panorama Day on 10 October will allow visitors to appreciate the surrounding landscapes with a heightened awareness. Alongside recreational and leisure activities, the event will primarily feature guided panoramic walks around the sites, specialised guided tours, creative workshops, interactive educational experiences, music festivals, sunset treks and much more.
Published in MICE & Events
The Lefay Resorts & Residences group witnessed remarkable progress in 2022 and reports a record turnover of €46 million.
A success due largely to the Group’s resorts operations
This success was attributed largely to the substantial recovery in the resort operations segment, particularly in hotel management. Notably, resort occupancy rates returned to 2019 levels, accompanied by a significant increase in average pricing. For instance, the Lefay Lago di Garda rate experienced a surge of over 50% compared to 2019. Additionally, the group achieved excellent results in the residential sales segment, finalising the sale of the last five real estate units for a total value of €8.836 million. The consolidated turnover of €46 million was a remarkable 37% increase over the previous year.
All CO2 emissions fully offset
In terms of environmental commitments all the company's entities upheld their carbon-neutral status for 2022, having fully offset all CO2 emissions. The group's properties, certified by Green Globe, derive 100% of their energy from clean sources. They achieve the self-production of 100% thermal energy and 25% of electricity. In a bid to enhance sustainability, three new photovoltaic systems have been installed contributing to a reduction of 75,000 kg of CO2 emissions annually. The initiative to gradually eliminate the use of single-use plastic in the resorts is also highlighted.
The first international contract in October
A significant milestone in October 2022 was the signing of the group's first management contract abroad, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. This development marked a significant step in exporting the Lefay brand to a prestigious mountain destination and further elevating its international reputation.
“I am very proud of the results and of our entire team,- said CEO, Alcide Leali. – 2022 was a record year for our group, but we are aware that the achievement of an objective does not represent an arrival but a standpoint from which to identify new economic and sustainable goals.”
Published in Hospitality
The La Roqqa Hotel has officially opened in Porto Ercole on Tuscany’s Monte Argentario peninsula.
A hotel and two beach clubs in Porto Ercole
This the debut hotel in Porto Ercole of the Swedish entrepreneur Conni Jonsson, former managing director of the EQT Partners fund, which through its holding Qarlbo invests in various sectors: from entertainment to hospitality and from senior living to real estate. La Roqqa is the first hotel to be launched by Erqole, a company founded by Jonsson. As well as La Roqqa, affiliated with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, there are also two recently redeveloped beach clubs in Porto Ercole, the Isolotto Beach Club and the Riva del Marchese.
Traditional Tuscany cuisine the Scirocco restaurant
Both the public areas and the 55 rooms and suites feature soft colours and lines, with sunlight and marine colours entering from the large terraces and artfully set internal lighting. The interior mixes custom-made furnishings with iconic pieces of Italian 60s and 70s design. The Scirocco restaurant, with traditional Tuscan cuisine and its creative reinterpretations, is led by executive chef Francesco Ferretti. There is also a cocktail bar under head mixologist Giorgio Ferrarese and supervised by Andrea Notaro.
Ph credits. Alessandro Moggi
Published in Hospitality
The success of the Little Mermaid is having a positive effect on Northern Sardinia, where many scenes of the recently released Disney blockbuster were filmed, says Libero Muntoni, general manager of Delphina Hotels & Resorts.
“Film tourism has been added to the usual demand”
“Now film tourism has been added to the usual demand, not only from European countries and Italy, but also from the Americas. Our guests can experience the magic of the timeless Little Mermaid fairy tale through a programme of activities in our resorts closest to the locations featured in the film", said Lì Montini of Delphina Hotels & Resorts.
Sardinia is the location for Walt Disney’s latest blockbuster
The coast between Capo Testa and Castelsardo, with its variety of landscapes and wild charm, is the backdrop for the new live action Little Mermaid, Walt Disney film. “The water is the bluest, the rocks are the most beautiful I have ever seen. We found Sardinia in our dreams even before we got there,” said John Myhre, screenwriter of the blockbuster film.
Kids can see a real “live” mermaid at the Valle d’Erica in Santa Maria Gallura
To immerse yourself in the world created by the new Disney film and explore these sparkling blue waters the Valle dell’ Erica Resort offers a whole day aboard a brand-new Maxi Rib yacht. The Little Mermaid Signature and Footsteps of the Little Mermaid programmes are available in the thalasso centre at Valle dell’Erica in Santa Teresa Gallura, and at the 5-star Marinedda Hotel in Isola Red. And guests of the miniclub in the Valle dell’Erica Resort will be able to see a "live" mermaid emerging from the sea right in front of their eyes. There are also many themed activities for younger guests such as games, singing and dancing, dressing up and nail painting, all inspired by Ariel the little mermaid.
Published in Hospitality
The new easyJet Marrakech-Naples route will make its debut on 16 December served by two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
New flights to Spain and Egypt
The new service thus expands the portfolio of destinations that can be reached from Napes with easyJet. Among the new flights scheduled for next winter at Naples Capodichino EasyJet will have weekly flights from Gran Canaria from 29 October. In addition, the flight from Hurghada will start again and flights from Marsa Alam will be inaugurated, respectively from 31 October on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and from 4 November every Saturday.
Published in Transportation
The Municipality of Messina (Sicily) and ItaliAbsolutely are pleased to invite you to a fam trip to discover the city of Messina and its most well-known and hidden treasures.
The event will feature a programme of experiences meetings and networking opportunities.SOLD OUT
Articles about the event
THE PROGRAMME
18 OCTOBER
Arrival of the participants at Catania Airport by 12:00; transfers to Messina and check-in at the hotel
16.00 Welcome and Plenary Opening: Meeting Turismo. Towards the Mediterranean
21.00 Welcome Dinner in the Monte di Pietà
22.30 Visit to the Cristo Re, Rocca Guelfonia and Belvedere
19 OCTOBER – Caravaggio and Art Nouveau
9:00 Regional Museum with works by Caravaggio
11:30 Europe’s biggest astronomical mechanical clock
13:00 Visit of the Monastery of San Placido Calonero and Lunch
16.00 Hotel
18.00 Workshop - Presentation of tomorrow’s programme, and B to B meetings
20:30 Dinner TBD
22:00 Visit to the Cathedral, Belltower and Treasury
20 OCTOBER – The sea, the myth of Ulysses and marine legends
9:00 Feluche: visit to the shipyard and presentation
10:00 Ganzirri fishing village: Boat excursion on the lakes
12:00 Capo Peloro, Europe’s most beautiful beach where the Ionian and Tyrhennian seas meet
12:30 “Da Scilla e Cariddi” sailing on the Strait of Messina
15.30 Hotel
17:00 Workshop - Presentation of tomorrow’s programme, and B to B meetings
21:00 Marine flavours and perfumes
22:30 San Salvatore Fort, under the stars of the Madonnina
21 OCTOBER – The Peloritani Mountains between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea
9:00 Excursion by jeep on the Peloritani Mountains
1° Visit Gesso’s Museum of Music and Culture
2° Visit Mountain trails from Pizzo Chiarino to Dinnamare
3° Visit to the highest point overlooking the Strait of Messina
13.30 Lunch: Don Minico on the San Rizzo hills
15.30 Hotel
17.30 Palacultura: Conclusions
20.30 Farewell dinner
22 OCTOBER - Departure
After breakfast transfers to Catania AirportTurismoMessina.it
Discover more about Messina
ItaliAbsolutely’s fam trips, a new and surefire way to unlock the magic of Italy like never before.
For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: +39 06.89.01.75.77
Published in Fam Trip
Emirates is celebrating its partnership with Bologna airport having carried one million passengers on the Dubai-Bologna route since it opened in November 2015.
The airline also transports luxury cars and other cargo
Since 2015 the Gulf airline has operated more than 4,100 flights between Dubai and Bologna and transported more than 40,000 tons of cargo through Emirates SkyCargo, the carrier's cargo division which, among other things, has transported more than 800 luxury cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Paganis, from Italy to other markets in its global network. From its Dubai hub, Emirates currently operates seven weekly flights to Bologna, with 35 other weekly flights to Italian destinations, including Rome, Venice, and Milan, in addition to another seven flights on the New York-Milan Malpensa route, which will soon become ten.
“We connect in Dubai to more than 140 cities”
“The data indicates that we are seeing a significant increase in travel demand to and from all of our Italian gateways, especially during the current summer season,- said Flavio Ghiringhelli, country manager for Emirates Italy. - Bologna Airport is very popular with both business and leisure travellers as it connects customers in Dubai and beyond to more than 140 cities across 6 continents.”
New opportunities for the city of Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region
The Dubai-Bologna route is operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration, with eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class. Travellers can benefit from regionally-inspired dishes and beverages and take advantage of the airline's inflight entertainment system which offers up to 6,500 on-demand entertainment channels in over 40 languages. “The direct flight has further strengthened our connectivity to the Gulf countries and to the entire Far East, generating new opportunities for the city of Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region, and the entire catchment area of our airport, both from a leisure and business point of view,” added Nazareno Ventola, general manager and CEO of Bologna Airport.
Published in Transportation
The second semester of the year showed strong growth with average hotel prices up 25.9% and occupancy almost back to 2019 levels, says Trademark.
A mass return of non-European customers
The Italian Hotel Monitor, developed by Trademark Italia, revealed that April-June 2023 closed with excellent results, both in terms of room occupancy (+5.9% compared to 2022) and average price (+17.3%). Thee is also a positive trend in terms of both business and leisure tourism, supported by the mass return of non-European customers. The good performance in the second quarter of the year has still not exceeded the pre-Covid numbers of 2019 in terms of room occupancy (-0.3%), and the figures must be read taking into consideration the rise in average prices, now 25.9% higher than four years ago.
Occupancy is high and Venice is the most expensive city
The data confirms a good performance in all types of accommodation, with the luxury 5-star, upscale 4-star and midscale 3-star sectors growing compared to 2022 by +23.2%, +14.8 % and +14% respectively. Analysing the trend of room occupancy rates on a national scale, among the 39 cities monitored, 37 exceed 60%, with 20 destinations exceeding 70: Florence (81.3%), Naples (81.0%) and Rome (80.4%) lead the rankings, followed by Como (79.7%), Milan (78.5), Genoa (75.6 %), Udine (75.5%), Bergamo (75.1%) and Palermo (75.0%). Regarding prices, Venice is at the top of the top ten, with an average room price of €239.68 (+19.9% compared to last year), ahead of Florence (€205.09, +22 %), Milan (€197.81 ,+19.2%), Rome (€179.33, +20.5%), Como (€149.01, +25.6%), Naples (€115.19 +17.1%), Genoa (€107.94, +12.8%), Bologna (€104.85, +6.%), Turin (€104.84, +8.9%) and Palermo (€102.06, +8.1%).
Published in Hospitality
The Lindbergh Hotels & Resorts group has expanded in Pesaro (Marche) with the opening of the Charlie Urban Hotel.
Five-star and four-star properties
The Charlie Urban Hotel is Lindberg’s third property in the city, following the success of the 5-star Boutique Hotel Excelsior Spa & Lido and the 4-star Nautilus Family Hotel. The modern 4-star hotel was developed with a focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The hotel's greenery is irrigated using a rainwater recovery system, and there are plans to install a photovoltaic system on the rooftop.
“We strongly believe in Pesaro's potential”
Nardo Filippetti, president of the Lindbergh group said: “We are very proud of this important milestone. We strongly believe in Pesaro, it is a city with strong tourist potential, and we are extremely satisfied to have offered our city yet another property just a few months away from Pesaro Capital of Culture 2024.” Each of the 117 rooms in the new Charlie Urban Hotel have an innovative system with sensors that detects guests' presence, enabling automated mechanisms to control the air conditioning, lighting, and room facilities. The hotel also features five modular meeting areas with a total of eight rooms, two of which have direct views of the sea. Complementing the Charlie Urban Hotel’s guest experience are the Charlie Bar, a panoramic room located on the top floor, and a conference area.
An eye on everything that is sustainable
Vice president, Marco Filippetti, added, “With the Charlie Urban Hotel, we intend positioning ourselves in the leisure and business travel market, we are very attentive to new travel trends and have an eye on everything that is sustainable. The Charlie Urban Hotel will not only be a new hotel for Pesaro, we want to try to replicate it in other Italian cities.”
Published in Hospitality
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