New Milan Malpensa to Chengdu flights for Air China.

50 long-haul destinations from Milan Malpensa

 “We are proud to collaborate with Air China, a strategic partner for Milan Malpensa and SEA. These new flights with Chengdu allow us to offer new travel opportunities to our passengers, improving Milan's international connectivity, with 180 destinations, 50 of which are long-haul,” said Armando Brunini, CEO of Sea Aeroporti Milano.

Milan Malpensa-China traffic has more than doubled

The three Chinese airlines that operated flights between Italy and China have grown to the current six thanks to the China-Italy bilateral agreements of 2020. Milan Malpensa is the airport with the highest growth in connections to Asia in all of Western Europe and, compared to 2023, traffic from Milan Malpensa to China has more than doubled. 

“This direct flight facilitates trade and tourism”

“Chengdu is the capital of the south-western province of Sichuan, China. The city also boasts one of the most important ports for trade between China and Europe. The twinning between Chengdu and Milan, thanks to this direct flight, represents an important step forward in relations between our two countries, facilitating trade and tourism,” said the consul of the People's Republic of China in Milan, Liu Kan.

Operated by Airbus A350-900 wide-bodies

The new direct weekly flights are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, marking a significant expansion of air routes and they promise to have a positive impact on the economic and cultural development of the two regions. Operated with a new Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, they will offer a luxurious and comfortable flight experience. 

31 Air China frequencies between China and Italy 

"The Italy-China 2020-2025 bilateral agreements provide for an intensification of cooperation and exchange between the two countries on the tourism, economic and commercial front. This is the fourth direct flight operated by Air China from China to Lombardy and brings the weekly connections with Italy, including those to Rome Fiumicino, to 31 frequencies. We are enthusiastic about inaugurating this new route, which will strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Europe and China,” commented Ma Guodong, Air China's regional manager Europe.

The Soges Group has taken over the Malaspina and plans to rebrand it a Place of Charme.

Three major operations completed in a month

The intense activity of the Soges Group continues. Following its debut on the stock market last June, it has now completed its third operation in about a month (the others were the Park Hotel Chianti and the Art Hotel Atelier in Florence. Ed.) Now the Tuscan company has signed a nine-plus-nine lease agreement for the management of the Hotel Malaspina in Florence.

Aiming to reopen as a Place of Charm in April 2025

The hotel is in the historic centre of Florence and has been closed since the Covid period.  Currently it has 31 rooms, nine of which are singles and 22 doubles, but it will undergo major work by Soges to upgrade its energy efficiency and make over the interiors. The aim is to reopen to guests under the Place of Charme brand in April 2025.

“The property has enormous potential”

The agreement envisages a rent of €280,000 per annum for the first two years, €270,000 for the 3rd year, €220,000 from the 4th year and €250,000 from the 10th year. The effectiveness of the agreement is, however, conditional on the execution judge issuing the authorization to sign the agreement by 30 September. The property where the Hotel Malaspina is located is in fact currently subject to foreclosure. “The management of Hotel Malaspina is an important step forward for us,- says Soges Group CEO Andrea Galardi. -It is a redevelopment project of great value. The property has enormous potential, and we are thrilled to bring it back to life. Our decision to invest in this property is strategic because it consolidates the Place of Charme brand in Florence. 

World Travel Market London (WTM), from 5-7 November 2024, will be the biggest to date.

4,000 exhibitors of which 80 will be new

With an expected 7% growth and expansion into new halls at ExCeL London, the travel show is set to reflect the thriving international tourism sector. Taking place from 5 – 7 November, World Travel Market expects to showcase around 4,000 exhibitors including tourism boards, hoteliers, transport brands, technology services and world-class experiences with an expected 80 and more new exhibitors lined up at the global gathering.

“Book tickets soon, as it’s filling up fast”

Juliette Losardo, Exhibitor Director, WTM London commented: “2024 will be the best year yet for World Travel Market, with the largest cohort of exhibitors on record. We’re proud to have representation from destinations across the world and there are some big new brands this year. We’re very excited to welcome them! With the event fast approaching, I encourage visitors to book tickets soon, as it’s filling up fast!”

Africa is the event’s fastest growing region

With over 135 National Tourism Organizations in attendance, a 9% increase, a huge volume of regions and cities will be joining them. Africa is the fastest growing region of the event, which follows proactive and diligent strategies implemented by nations such as Morocco and Egypt in a post-pandemic world. There has been a 71% increase in exhibitor participation from companies aligning themselves to the new Experiences Zone, a 22% growth in accommodation brands and a 16% growth from exhibitors in the technology sector. For information: https://www.wtm.com/london/en-gb.html

The Hotel d'Inghilterra is to reopen on 27 September 2024.  

A new dining area and a spa suite

The Starhotels Collezione property, just a few steps from the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti is finishing the second part of its restyling, having completed the first stage in May 2023. This involved the restoration of the exterior and the historic façade, protected by the Italian Academy of Fine Arts Arti, as well as revamping the rooms and top suites on the upper floors. Now, after extensive renovation of the public areas and the suites and rooms on the first three floors, the hotel will reopen its doors with restyled dining areas and a new spa suite.

A new rooftop bar andan intimate spa

The works were part of the La Grande Bellezza, the Starhotels Dream Factory contemporary patronage project. The rooms and suites have dropped from 84 to 80 to leave more space for the interiors, while the Cafè Romano restaurant will be enlarged and connected to the lobby, giving it a true living-room atmosphere. One of the highlights of the renovation will be the new Romana terrace on the sixth floor with a rooftop bar, also open to non-hotel guests, and an ideal location for private events. A further novelty will be the new, intimate spa: a cozy corner to relax and regenerate the body after a day spent exploring the city.

Always popular with British travellers 

The Hotel d'Inghilterra traces its roots back to the mid-16th century, when it was a noble residence for guests of the Palazzo Torlonia, which is located directly opposite the property. But as early as the 15th century the area was renowned as having the best accommodation in the city, attracting visitors from all over the world. In 1845, the residence was converted into a hotel and called the Hotel d'Angleterre given its popularity with British visitors, who chose to stay here during the era of the Grand Tour. Among its illustrious guests it counted the Romantic poet John Keats, who spent his last years here, and his countrymen Byron and Shelley. Henry James, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck and Ernest Hemingway have also stayed.

In the year that celebrates Italian heritage tourism in the world, ITA Airways and the Italian Foreign Ministry have signed an ad hoc convention that provides discounted fares for Italians living abroad.

ITA Airways flies to 41 destinations

“The signing of this agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is aimed at strengthening the ties between Italians living abroad and their homeland, and it also offers concrete advantages for rediscovering their roots,- said ITA’s president Antonino Turicchi. –ITA is thus supporting a significant project to ensure the connectivity of all Italian communities which is destined to enhance our country's cultural and historical heritage on a global scale, thanks to our international and intercontinental network, which has 41 destinations, more than double our operational start in October 2021.”

Strengthening the link with Italian communities abroad

“Since the beginning of my mandate, I have wanted to strengthen the link with Italian communities abroad, as well as the services dedicated to them, in order to encourage tourism to Italy, allowing  those of Italian origin living abroad to discover the places of origin of their ancestors,” commented Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. 

Discounted fares are available online

Negotiated within the framework of the Italea Card programme, also known as the “Passport of Roots,” the agreement offers Italians and Italo-descendants around the world preferential rates on the purchase of air tickets. Users will be able to access the discounted fares through the italeacard.com website, where a special box will be placed linking them to the offer page on the company's website. The convention also allows for the launch of joint promotional activities between the ministry and ITA Airways with the aim of boosting the visibility of initiatives linked to heritage tourism.