Alfonso Pacifico is the Belmond Group’s new area managing director for Portofino.

The role encompasses the Splendido Mare and Bagni Fiore

In his new role Pacifico is in charge of the multi-phase restoration project of the Splendido Hotel, of which he has also been appointed general manager. He is also responsible for the strategic guidance and operational management of the Splendido Mare and Bagni Fiore, a private beach club managed by the company which has been part of the LVMH group since 2021. Pacifico will report directly to vice president and divisional leader Southern Europe, Christian Boyens. Having joined Belmond as front of house manager at the Caruso in Ravello in 2014, Pacifico took over as general manager in 2019, and three years later was promoted to managing director and director of special projects.

“I am looking towards new goals”

"I am honoured and grateful to take on such a prestigious role in an iconic structure such as the Belmond di Portofino but, above all, I am happy to be able to further share my great passion for hospitality while looking towards new goals,- says Pacifico. – The Splendido and Portofino more than just an exceptional combination, they are a highly sought-after destination and a shining beacon in the world of hospitality.”

The former San Gottardo in Como will be branded a Radisson Collection and open in 2025. 

The new Radisson will have 72 rooms and a gourmet restaurant

Renovations have begun on the hotel, which has been inactive for some thirty years. The former San Gottardo was acquired in the second quarter of 2022 by Pessina Immobiliare, a company linked to Como entrepreneur Maurizio Critelli, who was already active in the hotel sector. It was sold by Milan-based Beatrice d'Este, which had owned the property since the 1980s. The plans now call for a Capex investment of about €30 million for the construction of a five-star property branded Radisson Collection with 72 rooms, a bistro, lounge bar, spa, fitness areas, and a panoramic gourmet restaurant on the top floor. The opening is scheduled for the first half of 2025.

Ryanair has brought back the Luton-Treviso route with two weekly flights. 

The 40 routes to Treviso support over 2,000 local jobs

The winter operation of the low-cost flights from Treviso will include over 280 weekly flights and 40 routes, with 10 new destinations such as Gdansk, Madrid, Marseille, Cork, Santander, Tirana, Toulouse, Vienna, Zaragoza, and London Luton. Additionally, there will be increased frequencies on 11 routes, supporting over 2,000 jobs in the region.

Ryanair now operates on 29 airports in Italy

This winter Ryanair will have two aircraft based in Treviso, aiming to transport 2.5 million passengers in the 2024 fiscal year, marking a 6% growth compared to the previous year. “The route from Treviso to London was the first operated by Ryanair in Italy in May 1998,-  says Mauro Bolla, Ryanair's head of communication for Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Romania. - We are pleased to reinstate this route and so are local businesses. Since 1998 Ryanair has grown, and now flies to and from 29 airports across Italy, 17 of which are bases, and we have carried some 500 million passengers to and from Italy.”

“Excellent results from the partnership with Ryanair”

“Connecting Treviso with London is a great return for our city, many people from Veneto and Treviso live and work in London,- added the mayor of Treviso, Mario Conte. – To see more fights on our airport is another important signal, following the excellent results from the partnership with Ryanair and the Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco Doc.”

Discover Balsamic Vinegar, a symbol of Italian culture, with a visit to a vinegar factory.

A resort with 8 junior suites

In the picturesque Modena hills of Levizzano, Opera|02, an elegant farmhouse, offers a unique and immersive dining experience, which us a perfect blend of elegance and tradition, in its vinegar factory. “The traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is the beating heart of Opera|02, binding the past, present, and future of our people and territory,- says Mattia Montanari, founder of Opera | 02. -It started with the land, and the first generation of farmers in my family. The initial five hectares of organic Lambrusco Grasparossa vines have now expanded to twenty. Subsequently we opened the restaurant and the resort consisting of eight junior suites with unmatched views of the vineyards outside and the vinegar factory inside.”

Mattia Montanari

A dining experience engaging the senses

More than three hundred barrels now occupy the space that was once a stable, and to enhance the recognition of this symbol of excellence, Opera|02 offers a one-of-a-kind experience in Italy: dining in the vinegar factory. These are not mere post-visit tastings but an immersive journey surrounded by hundreds of barrels. The five-course menu, by Chef Pietro Gisondi, guides guests through a tasting adventure that highlights the distinct characteristics of each vinegar with varying aging. The meals are served at elegant tables in the vinegar factory, engaging four senses – taste, smell, sight, and touch.

An unparalleled culinary journey through four senses

This unique experience begins in October, continues through November, takes a pause from December to February, resumes in March, and concludes in April, meticulously respecting the vinegar's delicate cycle. Anyone interested should note that here is no heating or air conditioning during these periods. To embark on this unparalleled culinary journey and reserve your table, visit www.opera02.it.

This year is witnessing a peakof food and wine experiences as the primary motivation for tourists choosing to come to Italy. 

Many visitors are by driven their passion for gastronomy.

There has seen a significant surge of travellers coming to Italy to explore its food and wines, with 58% making at least one trip driven by their passion for gastronomy. This is a remarkable 37% increase since 2016 and translates into an estimated 9.6 million visitors.

Food experiences and nature holidays topped the list

The trend is not limited to a specific group, as it has become widespread among all travellers exploring Italy’s charming landscapes. Seven out of ten tourists have engaged in at least five food, wine, or beer-themed experiences during their recent trips, marking a 25% increase compared to 2021. This aligns with findings from the European Travel Commission, revealing that food, wine, beer, and themed experiences were among the most popular attractions for travellers to Europe during the summer, alongside nature-themed holidays.

One in three visitors has upped their budget for food

Despite the ongoing crisis, a positive outlook prevails, with one in three tourists coming to Italy stating that they have allocated a budget exceeding that of 2022 for the purchase of food and wine offerings. These insights are drawn from the sixth edition of the "Report on Italian Food and Wine Tourism," authored by Roberta Garibaldi, a professor of Tourism Management at the University of Bergamo. Garibaldi, also the president of the Italian Association of Food and Wine Tourism and vice-president of the Tourism Commission of the OECD emphasises the immense potential for growth in this sector. 

“The challenge is to explode the potential”

“The high interest of tourists, the excellence Italy has to offer and the expected growth in tourism in the coming years gives us an incredible trio of aces for the future. Now the challenge is to explode the potential. There is a large gap between interest in experiences and actual use, and all of Italy’s regions boast a wealth that can be further valorised. It is important to preserve and enhance the Italian culinary heritage, the landscapes, small traders and artisans.” The latest edition of the Report on Food and Wine Tourism is available for free download www.robertagaribaldi.it/raiuto-sul-turismo-enogastronomico-italiano. 

United Airlines has announced an expansion of its seasonal services from Italy to the U.S. for 2024, with a second daily Washington-Rome flight.  

Seasonal United Airlines flights for Milan, Naples and Venice

The airline’s nonstop seasonal service between Washington D.C. and Rome will increase from once to twice daily, whilst seasonal flights from Chicago and San Francisco to Rome, from Chicago to Milan, as well as from New York/Newark to Naples will start up to a month earlier for summer 2024. The seasonal service expansion will build on United’s existing year-round daily services from New York/Newark to Rome and Milan as well as seasonal daily flights between New York/Newark and Venice. United is offering up to eleven daily nonstop services from Italy to the U.S. for Summer 2024.

“United will operate its largest-ever transatlantic summer schedule”

“We are excited to announce this expansion of our seasonal services from the United States  to Italy for summer 2024,- said Walter Cianciusi, country sales manager Italy, United Airlines. -For summer 2024, United will operate its largest-ever transatlantic summer schedule, offering our customers even greater travel choice and the possibility to connect via our U.S. hubs to other destinations across the Americas.” 

United has served Italy from the United States since 1997

United has served Italy since 1997, offering year-round daily services from  New York/Newark to Milan and Rome,  seasonal daily services to Rome from Chicago, Washington Dulles and San Francisco, between Milan and Chicago, as well as to Venice and Naples from New York/Newark.

Caldana Europe unveils the true value of Italy 

"We are at WTM to promote products that are not so popular abroad- said Gilda Ventura, of Caldana Europe Travel.  -We want to go beyond classic Italy by offering a range of products from active to leisure holidays, with a focus on quality.”  Caldana offers slow tourism products in the Trentino and the Dolomites for unique experiences in unspoiled places, “These allow visitors to make contact with nature and with locals which is the true value of Italy. Our main markets are North America, Brazil, China and the Arab Emirates, and for 2024 we already have good group programming.” 

Special evenings at the Avanspettacolo Venezia Cabaret Dinner Show

ItaliAbsolutely also met Mauro Furlan, Art Director of Avanspettacolo Venezia Cabaret Dinner Show. "Post- pandemic we have had a strong international response: we are now a reference point for tourists from all over the world who want to spend a special evening of entertainment in Venice. We are at WTM today to make new contacts and grow our Incentive segment, which is already active internationally."

Italia Highlights DMC represents the Etruscan Coast DMC

Italia Highlights DMC operates mainly Central-Northern Italy and Switzerland, and director Luca Carnesecche said the highlight of their year was winning the tender, together with two partners to officially represent the Etruscan Coast DMC. “This year we have exceeded expectations with growing numbers from North America, and we confirm the 2022 numbers for our Relais dei Molini in Castagneto Carducci in Tuscany”. Carnesecche  says that for next year they are already seeing +20% growth over 2023 figures. We propose many experiences like very original winery visits with the sommelier branding customers’ wine, cooking classes with a focus on traditional recipes, trekking, biking, truffle hunting and treasure hunts." 

Italy Car Rent is adding outlets in airports and stations

Andrea Lo Faso commercial director of Italy Car Rent said he was at WTM to meet international partners. “Our reference markets, in addition to Italy, are Germany, France and England, we are looking to increase non-European markets. In 2024 we will expand our network in airports as well as in  Florence and Naples’ railway stations.”

Campagna Amica Foundation specializes in agritourism stays

At the WTM to promote lesser known Italy and experiences in rural areas, Carmelo Troccoli, director of the Campagna Amica Foundation said that Italy has more than 5,000 I small towns with rural areas for green tourism, and small farmsteads that offer agritourism accommodation and tastings of local products like oil, wine, beer, cured meats and cheeses.  “This is the Italy tourists are asking for, and we want to promote it. Last year there has we had a 60% in agritourism stays; through agricultural activities we are able to create a much more sustainable economic system which in turn, grows the local economy.” 

Piedmont welcomes the new Cuneo-Rome Fiumicino flights

This winter thanks Sky Alps fights resume again from Cuneo’s Levaldigi airport to Rome Fiumicino, which is a major hub to international destinations, as announced by Geac, Cuneo's management company through Anna Milanese, director of Cuneo Airport. Beppe Carlevaris, president of the board of directors of Visit Piedmont, also spoke about new strategies for tourism in Piedmont, illustrating events and initiatives aimed at  developing tourism to the region. 

The new Omnia Convention Centre in the Shangri-La Roma has 13 meeting rooms and is on 1,800 sqm. 

“We are bringing a landmark back to the city”

"We are particularly proud of this project," says Omnia Hotels Group CEO, Francesco Lazzarini. "The redevelopment of the Shangri-La allows us to bring an important landmark back to the city, and with all the necessary services.”

Two plenary rooms and a dedicated entrance

The multifunctional spaces of the new Omnia Convention Centre consist of two plenary rooms, that can be divided into three spaces, a hall on 400 sqm with large windows, a large kitchen, and an outdoor area with a terrace. All this on the site of the former indoor swimming pool and a 10 x 3 ledwall screen, and a dedicated entrance directly from Viale Oceano Atlantico. For information: https://www.shangrilaroma.it

The Statuto Group acquires the new Six Senses in Rome for €245 mln, helping to galvanize the real estate market in these final months of the year. 

An investment of €2.6 million per room

The acquisition is the most significant in terms of room rates ever recorded in Rome. According to the 2023 edition of Ithic, organized in Rome by Teamwork-Thrends, the Statuto Group acquired the new Six Senses Rome from Orion Capital Managers for €245 million, corresponding €2.6 million per room. 

Terraces with marble recliners and a rooftop restaurant-bar

The property, acquired by Orion's European Real Estate Fund V in 2018 for €95m, opened in March this year. Designed by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola with a style that interweaves classicism with the contemporary, the hotel boasts 96 rooms, some of which feature marble triclinia recliners on their terraces overlooking Via del Corso. Completing the offer are the Bivium restaurant-bar as well as the Notos Rooftop, both of which have been inspired by local culinary traditions.