In the Italian hospitality turnover ranking, Starhotels returns again to the top.

Starhotels holds on to its top spot

After Covid, the ranking of the main Italian hotel groups by turnover is once again mimicking the trends of the pre-pandemic era. According to data collected by Pambianco, Starhotels firmly regains the top spot with a total turnover of €241 million in 2022 (it was second in 2021, but with just €75 million euros; in 2019 it was €216 million). The Una group regains second place with €146 million (€67 million in 2021, €128 million in 2019). Hotelturist (TH group) comes in third place (€142 million vs€ 62 million in 2021 and €94 million in 2019). Alpitour is fourth with a turnover of €134 million (€81 million in 2021;€ 109 million in 2019).

Hnh Hospitality is a new entry in 10th place

Sardegna Resorts is in fifth place (€106 million in 2022; 73 million in 2021; €88 million in 2019), followed by Bluserena (€96 million in 2022; €69 million in 2021; €79 million in 2019). Cogeta Palacehotels Gestioni leap frogs to seventh place (€80 million in 2022; it was outside the top 10 in previous years). This is followed by the Villa d'Este group (€79 million in 2022; €35 million in 2021; €54 million in 2019) and Aeroviaggi (€78 million in 2022; €59 million in 2021; €86 million in 2019). Finally, in tenth place, another new entry in the top 10: HNH Hospitality, at €71 million.

The Villa d’Este Group tops the EBITDA ratings

The Pambianco study also takes a look at gross operating margins. In this case it is the Villa d'Este Group that comes out on top with an EBITDA margin of 40%, followed by Starhotels (34%), Sardegna Resorts (30%), Bluserena (20%) and the hotel division of the Alpitour group (15%, while the luxury brand VRetreats is at 30%).

For those seeking thrills and an adventurous mountain experience, there's nothing quite like a paragliding experience from the Val Gardena’s Hotel Tyrol.

The Hotel Tyrol is an oasis for paragliding fans

With 50 rooms, two restaurants, and a spa the Hotel Tyrol in the Val Gardena has been a symbol of hospitality in Selva di Val Gardena in the Trentino Alto Adige region, for over 50 year. Paragliding over the stunning Val Gardena and gazing upon the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, the valleys and the mountain lakes from above is a truly unparalleled experience. Soar through the sky like an eagle, embracing the feeling of freedom and height. Paragliding is a thrilling dive into the endless blue, with only the sound of the wind and the awe-inspiring landscape unfolding beneath.

Flying over picturesque villages

Starting from the Hotel Tyrol, after an exhilarating excursion to reach the take-off site on Mont de Sëura, the descent begins, culminating in a landing in front of Monte Pana, above Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. This is an opportunity not to be missed, delighting in the unique and tranquil experience of flying over pastures, woods, and picturesque villages, in the embrace of the majestic mountains of the Val Gardena.

Ziplining is for adventure lovers

This same thirst for adventure and adrenaline can also be quenched by a zipline experience. Accompanied by Gabriel Kostner, an expert pilot and rescuer from Aiut Alpin Dolomites and Elikos, along with former skier Peter Runggaldier, you can take a breathtaking flight. Soar above woods and valleys at high speeds (almost 100km/h) for over a kilometer and a half, while enjoying the panoramic views. This is an experience not to be missed for enthusiasts of active tourism and, of course, for adventure lovers. For information: www.tyrolhotel.it. 

Dirotta da Noi, the Roman tour operator, introduces several new features inspired by customer feedback.

Pet-friendly accommodations and gluten-free options

The new features inspired by the feedback from customers include pet-friendly accommodations, gluten-free options, a focus on sustainability, and more. The company listens attentively to customers in order to cater to their needs when they are planning their holidays and trips.

“Placing the customer's needs at the forefront is essential”

 “Placing the customer's needs at the forefront and understanding their requirements is essential,- says Sara Calabrese, CEO of Dirotta da Noi. - Creating an online product based on price and quality is important but too simplistic, today it is crucial to have a comprehensive view. At Dirotta da Noi during the summer season we analyse pre and post-holiday feedback to discover new market niches, improve existing services, and develop new ones.”

New services for four-legged friends

Among the proposed novelties is the introduction of a pet-friendly option.

“We are focusing on our four-legged friends,- sayd Calabrese. - Various services have been introduced, including welcome kits, reserved beach areas, agility courses, mini training sessions, and the availability of rooms with fenced outdoor spaces.”

 

Electric charging stations and online check-in

Dirotta da Noi also caters to specific dietary needs with its gluten-free option, allowing individuals with gluten intolerances or allergies to enjoy personalised menus during their summer stays. The company also prioritises sustainability by implementing parking islands with electric vehicle charging stations in many properties and reducing the use of plastics. Additional services also include online check-in prior to arrival ar www.dirottadanoi.net and the option for customers to prepay the tourist tax. These enhancements help customers to avoid long waits and quickly access their rooms upon arrival.

Th La Thuile – Planibel has been given a +€20 million plus makeover. 

A new Wellness Centre and kid’s area

The 80 rooms have been enlarged and the 350-seat theatre completely redeveloped for an investment of over €20 million. The property registers over 160,000 annual overnights and has a team of 475. The operation, which envisages further work on the facade in the coming months, also led to the construction of a new Wellness Centre, with relaxation areas, a salt room, sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers, herbal tea area, and rooms for massages and beauty treatments. A kids' area has also been created, with spaces that are diversified according to age.

“We have transformed this complex of buildings into a modern hotel”

"This is an ambitious project, we started the redevelopment between the first and second lockdown, at a time of total uncertainty," says Ofer Arbib, CEO of Colliers Global Investors Italy, the asset management company that manages the property. “We have transformed this complex of buildings into a modern hotel, with state-of-the-art technology and all services, ready to meet the challenges of today’s tourism."

Bevagna’s cultural sites have reopened under the management of Maggioli Culture and Tourism. 

The Bevagna Cultura ticket gives access to many of the local attractions

Visitors to the little town, which is just 27 kilometres from Perugia, can once again explore the Palazzo Lepri Civic Museum, the Roman Baths, the Port Building, the Accota, the Francesco Torti Theatre, and the San Domenico Cloister. The circuit has been revitalised with a new identity under the Bevagna Cultura brand.

Continuous opening hours in July and August

To provide ample opportunities for visits, the city museum circuit will be open continuously from 10.30 to 18.00 throughout July and August, from Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays. The Bevagna Cultura single ticket allows visitors to discover these captivating treasures within the historic centre and also to enjoy guided tours. In the Palazzo Lepri Civic Museum, which showcases the town’s history spanning from antiquity to the present day, visitors discover archaeological finds, sculptures, documents, and remarkable artworks by Corrado Giaquinto, Andrea Camassei, and Ascensidonio Spacca.

San Domenico

Bevagna was an important Roman city

The Roman Baths feature a magnificent mosaic floor from the 2nd century AD, adorned with depictions from mythology and the marine world. This mosaic is believed to be part of the frigidarium cold bathing area. It reflects Bevagna's past as an important Roman city for trade, and a transit point along the Via Flaminia. Recent discoveries beneath the former Dominican convent support studies and research suggesting that Bevagna had a river port directly connected to Rome via the river Tiber, serving as an important waterway in ancient days.

After a year of international management, Monte Turri and Borgo Cala Moresca are back under the direct control of Arbatax Park Resort.

Arbatax Park has 17 rooms and 17 suites del Mare

The resort in the beautiful Ogliastra region in Sardinia offers seven different types of accommodation including accommodation for families, couples, groups of friends and adults only. With Monte Turri, the resort has increased the availability of its most exclusive rooms: its 17 rooms join the 17 Suites del Mare, the most luxurious and exclusive rooms at Arbatax Park.

“Bookings are up from the US and France and sales are up in Germany”

“Requests for high-level accommodation are increasing, both from Italian customers and from abroad, especially from the German and American markets, – says sales & marketing manager Paolo Curridori. -In the past few months, we have signed an agreement with Reimagine, which is promoting our resort in the US and pushing for partnerships with European tour operators. Direct bookings from France are increasing, and intermediate sales in Germany are growing. In Italy, we are seeing a trend that is representative of the market in general with a slowdown which is evidently influenced by expensive ferries and, above all, by the cost of flights."

Borgo Cala Moresca has two swimming pools 

Located in a reserved area on Capo Bellavista, Monte Turri, in addition to the 17 rooms, has a restaurant overlooking the sea and a swimming pool with a solarium. A panoramic glass lift leads to a private cove, with a platform equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas  Modelled on an old Sardinian village, the 225-room Borgo Cala Moresca overlooks a lovely stretch of sea with red rocks typical of the Ogliastra. The complex has two swimming pools, terraces, a restaurant, and a pizzeria, all just 300 metres from the sea.

The Martello Hotels group's Martello di Lampedusa hotel and the Principe di Lampedusa in Palermo have joined Bwh Hotels Italia. 

An affiliation aimed at enhancing the properties

Antonio Martello, the owner and director of the company, explains that the decision to partner with the Best Western brand was made to bring new energy to their establishments. He also highlights the valuable multidisciplinary support provided by Bwh throughout the affiliation which is aimed not only at attracting new customers but also at further enhancing the two properties.

Complimentary car transfers to and from Lampedusa airport

The Best Western Hotel Martello in Lampedusa enjoys an exceptional location between the historic centre and Guitgia Bay, one of the island's most captivating beaches. The hotel has 26 rooms, and the superior and junior suites have panoramic views of the marina. The restaurant showcases the best of traditional local cuisine, particularly seafood, and also caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Complimentary car transfers to and from Lampedusa airport are provided for guests.

The Principe di Lampedusa has programmes for exploring the area

The Best Western Hotel Principe di Lampedusa with 12 deluxe rooms, is another 4-star hotel located in the heart of Palermo. In a historic building from the early 1900s, which underwent a complete renovation in 2018, the hotel is located on the Arab-Norman Route, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel provides a selection of programmes for exploring the area, and for guests traveling by car, parking is available.

Unspoiled nature and authentic luxury

Le Cattedrali is a 5-star luxury relais in the little hamlet of Valleandona, just seven kilometres from the town of Asti, which is famous for its sparkling wines. 

The beauty of unspoiled nature and authentic luxury

It is located in the heart of the Monferrato, in Italy’s northwestern Piedmont Region, a land where culture and traditions blend with rugged nature to create an exquisitely authentic landscape of hills and wooded areas of extraordinary beauty.

Le Cattedrali is close to Asti’s Paleontological Park

The relais is in close proximity to Asti’s Paleontological Park, a truly unique tourist destination that encompasses several protected areas, and holds unique fossil remains dating from between 9 and 3 million years ago when the entire Po Valley was covered by the sea. 

Bright spacious suites and rooms with forest or mountain views

With its elegant rooms and suites, superb restaurant, exclusive wine cellar and world-class spa the luxury relais Le Cattedrali is an occasion to immerse yourself in the beauty of unspoiled nature and authentic luxury. The rooms and suites – the Loft, the Suite, the two Garden Suites, seven Junior Suites and 2 Deluxe Rooms, are spacious and bright with large windows looking out on the forest or the mountains. 

A spa with a Turkish bath and a swimming pool

The Spa, on over 220 sqm, is the perfect place to pamper the body and the mind. There is also a Turkish bath, a wellness path and an outdoor sauna. In Le Cattedrali’s restaurant the carefully crafted menu reinterprets tradition with a unique contemporary touch, using the freshest of seasonal products and the balance of the elements. The property also has a swimming pool, a solarium and a heliport.

The Pilgrim's Credential of the Cammino di Francesco was presented at the headquarters of the Umbria region in Perugia.

Over 8,000 pilgrims walked the Cammino di San Francesco in 2022

The Franciscan centenary will be celebrated between 2023 and 2026. The St. Francis’ trail has consistently ranked among the top routes in terms of
pilgrim numbers in Italy, with over 8,000 pilgrims from 57 nations travelling it in 2022, some 26% more than in 2021. The Umbria region recently
received a fund of €6 million for the development of pilgrim trails in its earthquake-stricken areas.

“Hospitality is the greatest reward of a pilgrimage”

The Credential serves as proof of the pilgrim's journey, setting them apart from ordinary travellers. At each stage of the pilgrimage dates and stamps
from the places of hospitality are affixed to the Credential. “Hospitality is the greatest reward of a pilgrimage, especially for the majority of pilgrims
who arrive in Assisi,” says Friar Rafael Pinheiro Normando of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.