The Umbria region is working to revitalize small towns and villages by implementing measures to restore residential life and services while securing resources for urban regeneration.

“We need to turn tourist visits into long-term stays”

 “Umbria is still seen as a land of passage,- explains tourism councilor Simona Meloni. - We need to turn tourist visits into long-term stays, and the dialogue with those who live in the area is fundamental. My aim is to initiate a discussion phase focused on addressing all requests from those who dedicate themselves daily to enhancing villages and maintaining their vitality."

Moving towards enhance natural attractions

The Region promotes forms of tourism in line with the natural vocation of the territory in the name of sustainability, which is one of the objectives of the 2030 agenda. “We intend increasingly favouring tourist activities that respect the local area and promoting its social life and culture with positive economic repercussions. The Council is about to adopt a measure to cancel the amendment of the previous administration that transformed paths into roads suitable for motor vehicles. We are also working on a project to connect the parks and lakes, which are some of our great natural attractions.”  

A spin-off from the Jubilee Year 

Umbria is also preparing to welcome the considerable flow of pilgrims expected for the many Jubilee events.  “In addition to these exceptional events,- continues Simona Meloni, -Umbria can also boast a wide range of tourist attractions, from cultural events to food and wine, and from nature trails to outdoor sports. Large events, festivals and theatre performances are all attracting growing numbers of spectators, as are the National Gallery of Umbria and the regional museum network, while the proposals for slow tourism and walking options are truly groundbreaking."

An 11.6% increase in foreigner visitors in 2024

2024 saw a 4.8% increase in tourist arrivals, a 10.1% growth in foreign visitors and a 2.7% rise in Italians visiting the region, while overnight stays rose by 6.4%. There was a 11.6% increase in foreigner visitors and a 3.7% rise in Italians, while accommodation facilities recorded a growth of 10.3%. Umbria is the second region chosen by visitors wanting to spend their holidays in Italy with the US, German, Belgian, French and UK markets in the lead.  “We will continue to promote Umbria as a unique and unmissable destination and aim to consolidate the results achieved.  "We are closely monitoring the growth of the tourism market while fully adhering to socio-environmental policies. We expect an influx of tourists and pilgrims for the major religious events this year and are working to make sure that adequate accommodation is available throughout the region’.

Innovation, authenticity and tailor-made experiences for travellers: these are the highlights of Liguria’s tourism programme. 

Liguria is aiming for year-round tourism

With many projects in the pipeline for 2025 designed to attract visitors throughout the year, ranging from sports to cultural tourism and from food and wine to experiential itineraries the region is forging ahead. “In 2025 we will continue with our policies of to deseasonalize and promote our  entire territory, from the coast to the hinterland, from seaside resorts to mountain villages. Then we  will establish DMOs, supported and incentivized by the region, to provide the necessary tools for professional process management, enhancing synergy between public and private actors,” explains Luca Lombardi, councillor for tourism of the Liguria region. 

“Our aim is accessible and inclusive tourism”

“These activities will be coordinated through the DMS aimed at the promotion and marketing of tourism, alongside accommodation facilities, tour operators, travel agencies and tourism services providers. The third aim is accessible and inclusive tourism: a very sensitive issue to which the Liguria region has always shown great attention. In this regard, the “Accessible Sea Guide,” which will also be produced in 2025, and the “Accessible Liguria” section of the lamialiguria.it website are worth mentioning’.

Liguria is Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2025”

This year Liguria is officially the European Region of Sport, a recognition that confirms the territory's outdoor vocation and is an important driving force for tourism.  Events, dedicated infrastructure and new immersive experiences will make 2025 a key year for positioning the region among the most dynamic and attractive destinations in Europe. Genoa is committed to consolidating its role as a tourist destination of excellence with a series of strategic projects aimed at sustainable growth and an increasingly varied and qualified range of travel experiences. The Ligurian capital is also the only Italian destination to have been awarded the title of “Best in Travel 2025” by Lonely Planet, and is “establishing itself as a destination that is increasingly favored by tourists worldwide, with steadily growing numbers and trends as evidence.”

La Spezia’s Palio del Golfo boat show 

“Best in Travel 2025” La Spezia – with the slogan “Always Different” – offers a combination of sea, culture, food and wine and the city's great vocation for trade, and it is also among the ten finalists for the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2027. There are many events in the first part of the year. From the Bitesp-Fiera del Turismo (31 March-2 April) to the Festival dell'Outdoor at the end of April, and the Oyster Fest in May. In June there are the celebrations for the 100th Palio del Golfo featuring many sailing ships, including the Amerigo Vespucci, which will be open to visitors from the 16 to 21June.

“Attracting each tourist to Liguria has cost us 18 cents”

Savona is another rcandidate for Italian Capital of Culture 2027 and views itself as the cultural center of the Northwest, capable of driving new tourist traffic and creating a positive economic impact across the entire province. A multifaceted process is already underway, featuring construction projects, partnerships, new strategies, and tangible actions. Imperia is focusing on several major projects to boost tourism and the local economy, including the renovation of the marina, together with the construction of a cycle path and the introduction of new technologies for local transport. “As far as investments are concerned,- adds the councillor,  -they have grown year on year over the last three years. In 2024, an analysis by Happy Minds showed that Liguria is the top Italian region for economic ROI with a euro/attendance ratio of 0.18. This means that attracting each tourist to Liguria has cost us 18 cents.”

Traditional and emerging markets

The promotion of Liguria started with three important events in Europe: Vakantiebeurs in the Netherlands, TravelXpo in Norway for the first time, and Fitur in Madrid. “The aim is to be present at all the most important trade fairs worldwide,- says Luca Lombardi. On the one hand the number of tourists from Liguria's traditional markets, such as France and Great Britain, is growing, but on the other hand, there is a significant increase in visitors from what we can call emerging markets like Turkey, China, Croatia, India, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and New Zealand.” 

This year Grimaldi Lines has a variety of fresh Mediterranean destinations.  

2024 consolidated 2023’s record results  

“We recently concluded 2024, consolidating the record results of the previous year: a summer season in which the defined targets were fully achieved and with the confirmation of 20 Grimaldi Lines connections,-  says Francesca Marino, head of Grimaldi Lines’ passenger department. -2025 starts with three special promotions, each one for a different public within the broad market target that chooses Grimaldi Lines for the continuity of service and comforts offered on board.” 

A raft of promotional discounts

To reward those who book their summer holidays in advance the “Advanced Booking” promotions provide a 20% discount (fixed charges, EU ETS costs and on-board services excluded) on selected departures between 3 June and 30 September from/to Sardinia, Sicily, Spain and Greece. With the difference that for Greece the cabin supplement is excluded from the discount. Both apply to bookings made before 31 March 2025. Completing the range of new offers is “Viaggia Smart,” for those travelling in the low season which provides for bookings, routes and selected departures up to 31 May 2025 with a 25% discount for travel from Monday to Thursday and a 20% discount on return travel on daytime routes. The two discounts can be combined if both conditions are met. 

Sales now go through Grimaldi’s Naples headquarters 

The most important new destination this season is Greece as the sales of the annual Ancona-Igoumenitsa-Ancona and seasonal Ancona-Corfu-Ancona lines will be through the booking system used by the Grimaldi Group's headquarters in Naples, as will the routes to and from the port of Brindisi. -We are also taking charge of the sales of the routes from Ancona to the ports of Igoumenitsa and Corfu and vice versa. This will allow us to develop a more harmonious commercial policy on Greece, further consolidating our relationship with the brokerage world.” 

Theme sailings and shore excursions

The offer of theme trips continues with the “Hotel on board” or “Ship + hotel” formula, on the Civitavecchia-Barcelona-Civitavecchia route. “Easter in Barcelona” is back (from 18 to 23 April), and also confirmed are “Una Nave di Libri per Barcellona” (from 5 to 10 April), “Ballando verso Barcellona” (from 31 May to 3 June) and “Grimaldi Dance Fit Cruise” (from 14 to 17 June) with fitness classes. The company is also promoting packages combining a trip by ship with a stay and excursions ashore from Grimaldi Lines Tour Operator. 

Cultural, Southern Italy and Sardinia packages 

For those who love classical culture and Greek mythology, the perfect choice is Corfu, where six-day packages are offered, taking advantage of the extraordinary Easter departure from the port of Brindisi. Those wishing to reach the two great capitals of southern Italy can choose between Naples (departing from Palermo) and Palermo (departing from Naples), where packages are also available with the “Ship + Stay” formula which includes guided excursions. The truest and most off-season Sardinia can be explored with four different proposals: two to Alghero and its surrounds (departing from the port of Civitavecchia) and two to Cagliari (departing from the port of Naples), with visits to the historic centre of Cagliari, the sea at Villasimius, the Asinara Park and the beaches and castle in Castelsardo.

Grandi Navi Veloci has unveiled the GNV Polaris, a new chapter in sustainable maritime transport.

“The Polaris is a symbol of our vision” 

The Polaris is the first of four newly built ships at the Guangzhou Shipyard International. The Polaris is a landmark point in time for GNV’s fleet renewal plan which is currently under full steam. “The Polaris is not just a ship; it is the symbol of our vision,” says Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV, the ferry company of the MSC Group. 

The Polaris is the first of four new ships

“This project is an investment in the future aimed at redefining the standards of quality and sustainability in our fleet and in the maritime transport sector. We offer passengers a travel experience that blends comfort, innovation and a deep respect for the environment. With the Polaris and the three other ships which are on the way, we are taking a major step forward in our development, confirming our concrete commitment to more sustainable and responsible transport.

The new ship will reduce CO2 emissions by 30%

The new ship can boast high environmental standards which will reduce CO2 emissions by 30% compared to the craft currently in the fleet. During its maiden voyage from China to Italy GNV conducted a study in cooperation with RINA to monitor and optimize Polaris’ energy and environmental performance. The results will be presented at the end of January at the technical conference organized by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Managing CII and Associated Challenges 2025 at the Imo headquarters in London.

Three more ships are due for delivery this year

“We have carefully defined the services we provide,- adds Matteo Della Valle, GNV's chief commercial officer. – Not only are we targeting passengers travelling for pleasure, perhaps to tourist destinations, but also those who use our services for professional reasons, such as cargo operators. The Polaris is a step forward for everyone.” The second ship under construction, the GNV Orion is now undergoing technical trials and will be delivered by spring, while for the other two new units, the GNV Virgo and GNV Aurora, the company's first to be powered by LNG, deliveries are planned by the end of next year.

The Seaview Lounge and Pizza and Steak House 

On board the Polaris passengers and drivers with cars will enjoy an innovative travel experience thanks to a wide range of services. The innovative food & beverage area has a panoramic Seaview Lounge and a Marketplace for cooking shows. The Pizza and Steak House is an evolution of the classic pizza corner, combining trendy dishes and traditional Italian cuisine, and there are state-of-the-art hospitality areas designed for every need, from digital play areas dedicated to children to pet-friendly zones.

The Polaris has 239 cabins and ample cargo capacity

The new ship also has advanced communication technologies, including stable and fast Wifi and, thanks to digital and braille signage, the Polaris offers an inclusive experience, ensuring effective communication and accessibility. The ship has a gross tonnage of 46,000 tonnes, is 715 feet long and 97 feet wide, and can accommodate up to 1,500 passengers. It also has 239 cabins, and over 10,000 linear feet of cargo capacity which is ideal for handling flows on high-intensity routes such as the Genoa-Palermo.

Grandi Navi Veloci’s new digital platform is offering valuable support to travel agencies.

The GNV Booking system will be ready in 2025

"We are continuing to invest in the GNV Booking system with a new digital platform that allows travel agencies to carry out many operations autonomously, making it simpler and faster to manage bookings, - says Matteo Della Valle, GNV chief passenger sales and marketing officer. – The system will be fully operational in 2025, and have a positive impact on the booking system, especially for our partners.”

“We are progressive streamlining booking management operations”

GNV Booking is already impacting the relationship with the trade, with a progressive streamlining of booking management operations. “The My GNV loyalty programme has also performed very well,- adds Della Valle, -with an 80% increase in members since its new launch. We have also decided to once again reward those choosing Advance Booking. Advance bookings have many benefits including discounts of up to 40% as well as improved cancellation and presale conditions.” Travel agencies remain among GNV's main sales channels and, especially this year, have proved to be an increasingly loyal partner for business development. This has led the shipping line to recognize an extra fee to Elite and Elite Premium agencies.

Four new passenger ships are in the pipeline

One of the MSC Group company’s key objectives is the renewal of the fleet and four new ro-pax units are currently under construction at the Chinese shipyard Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). The first will be GNV Polaris, which has recently successfully completed sea trials and will be delivered by the end of the year.  The second, GNV Orion, is scheduled for delivery in 2025, followed by the other two by 2026. They will all have exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and heat recycling technologies that meet IMO Tier III and EEDI Phase II requirements.

The new craft will boost quality levels

“The new units will have positive repercussions on the quality of the services offered, further strengthening our presence on strategic routes with high traffic levels, - adds Della Valle. - This means optimal proactive reactions in the event of unforeseen events by guaranteeing peak efficiency and punctuality.”

Garibaldi Hotels, a hotel chain created in 2013 in Puglia, are the ideal choice for discovering and experiencing Italy.  

The Group has 13 properties in Italy

Specialized in transversal hospitality with its clubs, resorts, hotels & historical homes, the Garibaldi Hotels Group is present in the most beautiful Italian destinations from Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and Umbria to Lazio and Trentino with 13 properties that welcome thousands of guests every year. The number of international clients is constantly growing, with Sardinia in particular attracting many international visitors. 

Santina Resort in Sardinia

A concierge team to manage extra-hotel services

The interest from foreign markets has led Garibaldi Hotels to take strategic and commercial steps to facilitate incoming tourism. For example, the group hires multilingual staff, makes is possible to book without arrival or departure constraints and guarantees guests maximum flexibility, The concierge teams manage extra-hotel services such as the numerous possibilities to discover the nature, cultural heritage and gastronomy of the locations where the group is present. 

“Guests take away indelible memories”

“Our aim is to enhance the value of the areas in which our properties are located, making sure that our guests take away indelible memories. We are working very well with the American, British, French, and some Eastern European markets, both for our sea and mountain products. We will certainly continue to invest in this direction, our aim being to make our group increasingly international, says Garibaldi Hotels’ commercial director Luigi Tilotta. 

La Spezia, in Liguria, has put forward its candidacy as Italian Capital of Culture 2027. 

“We will involve the entire community” 

“The bid,- says La Spezia's mayor Pierluigi Peracchini, - is an extraordinary opportunity to enhance La Spezia's rich historical, artistic, and cultural heritage, as well as to promote our excellence on a national and international level. We have approved the stages for submitting the bid, a process that will end in the spring of 2025 and which, if successful, will bring La Spezia's culture to the centre of attention in Italy, involving the entire community.

The city’s cultural sites are being enhanced

“La Spezia is undergoing a cultural rebirth: we have renewed the agreement with the Lia family for the enhancement of the Lia Museum, signed a public-private partnership with the Fondazione Carispezia for the relaunch of Camec, renewed the Mediateca and the Museo del Sigillo, and are enhancing the value of the San Giorgio Castle and the Ethnographic Museum with new exhibitions. This revolution involves all the city's cultural sites and will be completed by 2027, to show our beauty to all of Italy and to the world.”

Boosting awareness of culture as a tool for economic growth 

The Italian Capital of Culture project aims at supporting, encouraging and enhancing the cultural planning and implementation capacity of Italy’s cities. The aim being to boost awareness of culture as a tool for social cohesion, integration, creativity, innovation, economic growth and well-being. By 26 September 2024, the municipality of La Spezia will finalize its candidature and on 28 March 2025 the jury will recommend to the minister of culture the candidature of the municipality, metropolitan cities and unions of municipalities considered most suitable to be awarded the title of Italian Capital of Culture for the year 2027.  

With three months still to go to the end of 2023, Grandi Navi Veloci has posted a strong balance sheet in 2023. 

Four new ships to be delivered from 2024

Having celebrated its 30 years of activity, the MSC Group company continues to play a leading role in Italy’s marine passenger and car transport sector. "The big news for 2024,- says Matteo Della Valle, passenger sales and marketing staff director, - will be the arrival of the first of the four new ships under construction in Chinese shipyards. These will be state-of-the-art craft in terms of both the customer experience on board and energy efficiency and will be delivered every six months.” An initial estimate puts this investment at half a billion euro, a figure not yet confirmed by GNV which is currently evaluating on which route the first new ship will be positioned.

“Last minute sales and ad hoc promotions led to a realignment of the results”

"Although 2022 is considered an annus mirabilis in terms of volumes for Italy’s maritime transport, also thanks to less competition due to some post-Covid resistance to travel abroad, demand and volumes have held in 2023 and we registered a slight growth in volumes compared to 2022. Demand was particularly strong from Italy as well as from Germany, Switzerland, France and Austria. Sales went very well from October 2022 to May 2023. Then the demand slackened somewhat as we had to deal with new destinations, the cost of living and the many promotions on the market. However, last minute sales and some ad hoc promotions led to a realignment of the results.”

Adding dog-friendly cabins and services

For the autumn/winter season GNV’s Sardinia route will end, but the historic Genoa-Palermo, Naples-Palermo and Civitavecchia-Palermo will continue to operate, as well as routes to Morocco, Tunisia, Albania and the Balearic Islands. As far as on-board services are concerned, "We realized that more customers are travelleing with their dogs. In 2022 more than 73,000 animals boarded our ferries, some 60% more than the previous year, so we are increasing dedicated services like ad hoc cabins and dog runs. And, until December, passengers on all our 25 ships with the name Mediterraneo will find the cake created by Chef Damiano Carrara exclusively for our 30th anniversary in our self-services and restaurants.” 

Elite Premium for agents with best seasonal results

Grandi Navi Veloci’s relationship with the trade is fundamental for its growth. "From this year there will be an even more elite cluster: the Elite Primium. We will highlight the ten Italian and foreign travel agents with the best seasonal results for payment efficiency, and they will be able to access further advantages, discounts and special benefits.”

Casale Monferrato’s Tenuta Mandoletto is investing in hospitality, in a niche and very beautiful wine-growing area in Italy’s Piedmont region.  

Vineyards alternate with hazel and beech forests

The Tenuta Mandoletta is in the municipality of Casale Monferrato and the ambitious project is the brainchild of three brothers Enrico, Stefano and Massimo Bonzano of Bonzano Vini, together with oenologist Donato Lanati. The roots of this family history lie in the land in the municipality of Rosignano Monferrato in hills where vineyards alternate with hazel and beech forests. 

Adding Bed & Breakfast accommodation

"A few years ago Bonzano Vini took over the cellars of Castello di Uviglie,- says Beatrice Bonzano. – While Bonzano Vini is a more innovative company and aims to appeal to the tastes of younger consumers, Cantine di Uviglie has a more traditional production. We organize guided tours and tastings, and not far from the wine cellars it is possible to visit Uviglie Castle and the local quarries. We are working on setting up a Bed & Breakfast but in the meantime visitors can rely on some nearby properties.” 

A new 100-seat tasting room to be inaugurated in May

“We are renovating and building new areas, starting from the cellars up to the new 100-seat tasting room that will be inaugurated in May. Most of our visitors are Italian (a sharp increase compared to the pre-Covid period), but a good number also come from Switzerland, France and the United States. Many are individuals who book through social channels, but thanks to the collaboration with some tour operators we also have groups. With the new areas available we will also be focusing on events.”