The Region of Tuscany government and the Toremar shipping company have secured year-round maritime transport for 2025.

Better summer fares

The agreement guarantees the territorial continuity of the islands in the Tuscan archipelago. The decision to proceed with the entrusting of the entire year 2025 was adopted to allow Toremar to better manage summer fares, as well as to guarantee the continuation of maintenance operations on the vessels with a reasonable time margin.

“Making maritime transport safe”

“With this agreement,- says the councillor for infrastructure, mobility and government Stefano Baccelli, -we are ensuring an important service, introducing tangible improvements over the previous contract and making maritime transport safe in the immediate future, also with a view to the next tourist season.  

Daily services to the Tuscan islands

The contract confirms the operating schedule of 2024, with daily services to the islands of Capraia, Elba, and Giglio, as well as weekly services to the islands of Gorgona, Pianosa, and Giannutri. It also allows for the possible introduction of additional services that in the meantime the market would no longer be able to guarantee, at least during the winter months. This aspect has recently been highlighted as critical on the Piombino-Portoferraio route, and possible changes are currently being studied to contain the negative consequences of this situation.

A new Apulian resort for the Garibaldi Hotels Group which opens the GH Gallipoli Resort.

A new 4-star resort with a large grounds

The company is based in Ostuni in Apulia, and already has properties in Lecce, the Itria Valley and the Salento Adriatic. The Gallipoli property is a four-star resort, surrounded by extensive grounds. Besides a large garden it also has a two centuries-old underground oil mill that can be visited as well as 58 keys, a swimming pool with a solarium, a small indoor gymnasium, two bars and three restaurants and there is a beach with a shuttle service just a few minutes away.

Events will play a major role

The GH Gallipoli Resort also has a large events area. “We plan to open as early as April, focusing on MICE and banqueting which already have a solid base in the property but that we want to further expand,- explains Garibaldi Hotels’ CEO Fabrizio Prete. “The aim is to tend towards a prolonged opening going beyond the classic summer months, in line with our strategy that focuses on stretching the season. For this it is essential we work with foreign markets, on which we are already moving to sign deals. 

“Quality catering will be a plus”

The Apulian hotel chain now has 14 properties, including resorts, clubs, hotels and historic residences. “The new property boosts our resort offer which is fundamental for conquering the medium-high market segment, the target we are aiming at ,- adds the company's president, Egidio Ventimiglia. -We are looking at possible investments in this area and the customization of details that can make a difference on the market. We will also assess integrating further services for increasingly demanding Italian and international clients. One of the pluses of the Gallipoli Resort will certainly be quality catering.”

The Hotel Castel Badia is the second mountain property for the Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana group led by the Melpignano family.

A five-star with 29 rooms, a spa and a restaurant

It follows the acquisition of the management of the Hotel de Len in Cortina d'Ampezzo, with the Castel Sonnenburg in San Lorenzo di Sebato, in the Pusteria Valley now due to reopen next autumn as the Hotel Castel Badia: a five-star hotel with 29 rooms, a spa and a restaurant.

An investment of over €30 million

The Corriere del Trentino newspaper reports that the property, which is protected by the Fine Arts, is currently undergoing a renovation, for an investment of over €30 million. This is led by the owners, represented by the Gasser and Knötig families, in collaboration with the developer Kronplatz Touristik.

The property has passed through many hands

The castle was originally built to be the fortress of the Counts of Lurn and Pustertal, but in 1020 it was converted into a Benedictine monastery. In 1785 Emperor Joseph II decided to close the monastery and turn the building into a military hospital. It then became a hospice for the destitute and was finally converted into a hotel in 1960.

Milan, the heart of Italian design, fashion and finance, and its second-largest city, has outpaced its eternal rival, Rome, with a bold and forward-thinking move that bans outdoor smoking. From 1 January lighting up in public spaces – from bustling streets to charming piazzas – is officially off-limits, and anyone defying this decree risks fines ranging from €40 to €240. The sole exception? A solitary spot where a smoker can maintain a 10-meter bubble from others, a rare luxury in this lively metropolis.  

This hotly debated law has been framed to enhance the city’s air quality while safeguarding the health of its citizens - a truly stylish step towards healthier living.  E-cigarette enthusiasts can breathe easy, as the ban doesn’t apply to vaping devices. With this move, Milan joins 17 other European Union nations like Ireland, Greece, Bulgaria, Malta, Spain, and Hungary that have already introduced strict no-smoking regulations. By joining them Milan proves once again how being ahead of the curve is its signature style. 

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

The new Hilton's Tapestry Collection brand entry in Milan, follows the rebranding of the historic Grand Hotel Puccini in Corso Buenos Aires. 

Four floors with 59 rooms and a restaurant

The 2,700-square-metre hotel, on four floors, will reopen this year with 59 rooms and a restaurant on the top floor. The hotel was previously managed by the IH Hotels group. The redevelopment of the hotel is in the hands of Progetto CMR, which will build another hotel in Milan through the redevelopment of Tower 5 in the Tucidide business park.  The new business hotel will be managed by Amapa in franchising with Marriott. The project, in the former Ginori area, entails the redevelopment of nine floors above ground, and the completion is set for the second half of 2025.

The Amalfi Coast and Campania region are being promoted by the Salerno-based tour operator Travel Before at Fitur.

Focusing on the Amalfi Coast and authenticity

From 22 to 26 January at the Fitur travel show in Madrid, the Campania-based tour operator will be present with two stands. One stand, which will promote the brand's main destinations and most exclusive tourist experiences, will be shared with the municipality of Vietri sul Mare, and therefore have a special focus on the Amalfi Coast and the province of Salerno.  The second stand, in the Travel To Marketing area, will showcase the authenticity of Italian hospitality through experiences, traditions and landscapes and will be a benchmark for international operators interested in discovering the best of Italy.

Travel Before also attended the Travel Hashtags 

Participation at Fitur 2025 is part of a broader Travel Before strategy aimed at consolidating the brand's presence in foreign markets. In addition to attending international fairs, the company was also present at the Travel Hashtags in Paris and London, focusing on digital tourism marketing and the promotion of Italy abroad.

“Supporting sustainable and quality tourism”

“We are thrilled to be at Fitur 2025,- said Giancarlo Vitolo CEO & founder of Travel Before. - This is a unique opportunity to present the wonders of our land to a global audience and to establish new partnerships with international operators. The interest in Italy in Spanish-speaking markets is always very high due to our cultural proximity, heritage tourism from Latin American countries and, this year, also the Jubilee with complementary religious tourism itineraries. Thanks to our wide network of local partners we are here to propose a complete range of customized packages, from cultural itineraries to gastronomic experiences, supporting sustainable and quality tourism in one of the most fascinating parts of Italy.” 

A new record turnover for HNH Hospitality, which in the fiscal year that closed at the end of October 2024 surpassed its 2023 record with 2024 margins still at 15%. 

Average room prices rose by 4%

In 2024 the Mestre-based group recorded total revenues of €113 million, up 8% over 2023. Gross operating margins were close to 15% (EBITDA margin), while average room occupancy grew from 73.5% in 2023 to 77% in 2024. The average price per room also evolved, rising by 4% to €164.7.

Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan to be an MGallery

2024 was a breakthrough year for HNH, with the launch of new strategic directions including the agreement for the first management contract in the group's history: the management of the Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan, owned by the foundation of the same name, which will be relaunched in 2026 under the Accor MGallery brand. This agreement marks a turning point compared to the traditional model based on ownership or rental, opening up new scenarios for the future. At the same time, the company has launched its entry into hotel real estate with a hybrid model involving minority stakes in real estate assets (up to 25%), while retaining full control over operations. This choice aims to ensure greater strategic control and support faster growth, with the objective of consolidating a scalable and sustainable model.

“We aim to exceed €120 million in turnover”

2025 will therefore be a year of expansion for the group, with, in the first half of the year, the inauguration of an extended-stay project in Verona consisting of 23 apartments. HNH is also finalizing a second hotel development, currently in the final stages of due diligence, the details of which will be announced shortly. 

“We face the new year with great determination and a clear plan of expansion and diversification with which we aim, for the first time, to exceed 120 million in turnover,- said HNH's CEO, Luca Boccato. -This is a fundamental moment for us, during which we are  consolidating our position on the market and opening up new prospects for the future. With further openings and collaborations, our aim is to boost our offer, facing the challenges of the sector with an integrated model.”

Pedalaria is a new cycle path linking Leonardo da Vinci airport to the town of Fiumicino.

The new cycle path is just over 2 miles long

The new path for pedestrians and cyclists is part of the Dpcm Giubileo 2025 projects and is entirely financed by Aeroporti di Roma which has invested €1.8 million in the project, The path starts from Rome's main airport, is just over two miles long,  and joins the existing cycle path in the airport town on the Viale del Lago di Traiano avenue. The new cycle path is a collaboration between ADR and the municipal administration led by Mayor Mario Baccini. “Pedalaria will offer passengers, airport workers and the citizens of Fiumicino the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience in areas of great natural beauty and archaeological interest, including the Ports of Claudius and Trajan which are close to the airport.”

Innovative materials and Mediterranean plants

This is the most recent sustainability project from ADR, with the green footprint guaranteed by several factors, such as the use of innovative draining materials that minimize environmental impact, drainage channels for water management as well as the installation of Mediterranean plants from all five continents along the last stretch of the route towards Terminal 3.  “With the realization of Pedalaria we elevate our commitment to the promotion of a soft, sustainable and functional  form of mobility for thousands of passengers and citizens, as well as for the many workers living near the airport,- said Marco Troncone, CEO of ADR. -This new path is a further demonstration of our commitment to invest in the sustainable development of our 5-star airport, for the benefit of the environment, the people living near our airport and the territory that hosts us.”

Fiumicino airport has 50,000 employees

“Pedalaria is a spectacular and truly extraordinary project, - said Roberto Gualtieri, extraordinary commissioner for the Jubilee 2025 and mayor of Rome. -Connecting the city of Fiumicino to the airport, it takes in such extraordinary sites as the imperial Ports of Claudius and Trajan. It has both a tourist function and a sustainable mobility function for passengers and the many workers who will be able to travel to work comfortably, safely and sustainably in this great “city” of 50,000 employees. Many of them come from Fiumicino, and allowing them to travel by bicycle is very important environmentally.”

A seventh Piedmont hotels for B&B Hotels, which inaugurates a new property in Alba. 

Double, twin, triple and quadruple rooms

Ideal for business or leisure stays, the B&B Hotel Alba has 89 double, twin, triple and quadruple rooms. Guests can also enjoy  300 Mb/s Wifi in the common areas and in all the rooms, as well as a Smart Tv with integrated Chromecast to enjoy their favourite multimedia content.

A meeting room for 100 people

In the lobby guests will find a B&B Shop with a wide selection of drinks and a variety of snacks, while a buffet breakfast is served daily from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., with sweet and savoury proposals and gluten-free options. The hotel also has a meeting room with a capacity for 100 people, as well as a car park with a capacity of 70 cars.

The old town has medieval towers

The hotel is also an excellent starting point for leisure travellers wishing to explore the old town with its medieval towers, historic churches and renowned restaurants. “We are thrilled to strengthen our presence in a key region like Piedmont,” said Liliana Comitini, President and CEO of B&B Hotels Italy, Slovenia and Hungary.