"Words are no longer enough. We have listened to commitments and good intentions from the government, but without facts organized tourism is destined to die, and soon,” stated Franco Gattinoni, President of the Tourism Federation of the Italian General Federation of Enterprises. 

Regulatory instability causes serious economic damage  

“Rules are too complex, changes are sudden and schizophrenic. Our sector’s professionals plan trips in advance - adds Gattinoni - so this regulatory instability causes very serious economic damage and great inconvenience to citizens. We need respect from the politicians. And it is not just a question of foreign travel, uncertainty also has a devastating impact on foreign arrivals into Italy, causing the country to lose competitiveness.”

Upholding the Green Pass

"Moreover, Minister Speranza’s order infuriates the EU as it undermines the underlying raison d'etre of the Green Pass and, paradoxically, assists the anti-vaxxers who have long used the argument that vaccines do not work, and that the Green Pass is a useless shield.” 

Deciding the survival of organized tourism 

“The Tourism Ministry was created to play a central role in a sector that according to Prime Minister Draghi should be one of the engines of the recovery. We are asking for consistency between intentions and actions, and for the immediate support and aid we are entitled to, so as not to jeopardize 2022. We are now at a stage when it will be decided whether organized tourism can survive or not,” concluded Gattinoni.

Cbre, the company that assisted the previous owner in the transaction, has announced that Four Points by Sheraton Milan Center has been sold to a leading American private equity fund. The property is a standalone property with twelve floors above ground, a total of 239 rooms, seven meeting rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center. 

A franchise with the Marriott Group

The top floor of the Four Points by Sheraton Milan Center has views of the Porta Nuova skyline, and the hotel is operated through a franchise agreement with the Marriott Group which owns the Four Points brand. "This operation shows how the hotel investment market is recovering and proves that Italy is a refrence market at a European level,” underlines Francesco Calia, Head of Hotels at Cbre Italy. 

“It's the perfect time to sell"

Investors are more selective and transactions are focussing on quality properties, developments and value-added opportunities, added Calia.  “In these circumstances sale prices can exceed pre-Covid values. It's the perfect time to sell." At this time, no further details have been released about the transaction.

Alongside the numerous well-known attractions of Bologna, which is one of central Italy’s most appealing cities and famous for its good food, there are as many truly fascinating lesser-known ones. Because scattered throughout the city are the Seven Secrets of Bologna. You can find them all collected for you here, so that the next time you have time to stroll through the streets of the old centre you won't miss them.

The Three Arrows

High above your head on the ceiling of the walkway at the entrance to the Corte Isolani gallery between Strada Maggiore and the Piazza Santo Stefano square in the old centre of Bologna you can see three arrows. A legend tells of three bandits who passed by there to kill a squire. But fortunately a young scantily clad young woman who was looking from a window distracted them, so their arrows missed the target and stuck in the ceiling, for all to see even today.

The Wireless Telephone

In the Palazzo del Podestà the four corners under the Arengo Tower create a strange acoustical effect, with sounds transmitted from one corner to another. This wave of sound between the four corners was designed in medieval times to allow lepers to confess without the monk confessor having to come into contact with them. Today you will see people standing with their backs to the wall as they experiment with this ancient communications system.

Bologna’s Little Venice

Passing under the Porta Govese gate you come to the famous Finestrella window overlooking the Canale delle Moline canal, historically used for merchant shipping. Running between houses in the past it remained hidden from view but it has now become a popular spot especially with young lovers who have covered the walls with romantic messages and padlocks.

Panis vita, canabis protectio, vinum Laetitia

“Panis vita, canabis protectio, vinum laetitia”, or: “Bread is life, cannabis is protection, wine is joy,” refers to the cultivation of hemp which in olden days was an important contributor to the city’s wealth. The fresco with the famous phrase can be found on the vault of the arches on the Canton de 'Fiori.

Neptune’s Fountain and Thumb

The Fountain of Neptune, on the square of the same name, hides an optical illusion. Standing near the library staircase on a black tile, the thumb on the hand that reaches out to placate the waves, looks like a sign of virility. Locals believe that the fountain was deliberately designed in this playful manner by the great sculptor Giambologna.

The Broken Vase on the Asinelli Tower

At the top of the Asinelli Tower, one of Bologna’s two famous towers – the other is the Garisanda  - there is a broken pot symbolizing the city’s ability to solve conflicts and disputes. There is also a superstition that students who climb this tower before they finish their studies will never graduate.

A Secret engraved on a Desk 

Bologna’s final secret is to be found in the headquarters of the world’s oldest university where, on a desk, there is a famous inscription saying "panum resis". The engraving alludes to a basic principle of this city, that knowledge is at the heart of everything. 

The Portofino Coast Consortium has a new board of directors that will remain in office until 2024, and has recorded  significant upswing in the number of members with a  30% growth in 2021. With the entry of news members it now counts most of the municipalities along the coastal strip: Moneglia, Sestri Levante, Lavagna, Chiavari, Zoagli and Camogli in addition to founding members Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo. A further four new members will join in 2022: Grand Hotel Torre Fara, AD Catering, Ristorante Karalis and Hotel Mondial.

Attention to new trends like experiential tourism 

This year the consortium participated in 24 promotional events aimed at international tour operators, touching different market segments from leisure to MICE with particular attention to new trends like experiential tourism, nature and environment, food and wine, as well as putting the emphasis on training.  

“We are passionate about our region” 

"These last two years - explains President Alessandro Sauda - have certainly not been easy for the industry and concerns related to the pandemic are unfortunately not over. But Portofino Coast has worked hard to promote its founding values of quality and professionalism.  We are passionate about our region, are delighted to welcome our new members, and thank all our partners and sponsors for their ongoing support.”

American Airlines continues the work of planning and refining its 2022 summer network. This comes after two years of fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, and is aimed at optimizing the use of the American Airlines wide-body fleet, focusing on the most popular destinations, and making the most of connections through international partners.

Flights are back to Rome and Athens

Next summer all American Airlines wide-body aircraft currently used on short-haul routes, such as the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico, will be put back on transatlantic routes including Barcelona, Lisbon and Venice. In the spring of 2022 the airline will also resume service from Charlotte to Rome Fiumicino, while seasonal flights to both Rome and Athens will be reinstated earlier than in previous years.

No flights to Edinburgh, Shannon or Hong Kong 

Continued delays in the delivery of Boeing 787 aircraft have provided the unique challenge of planning international flights months in advance. As a result American will not resume services to Edinburgh and Shannon, and as demand remains weak in Asia it is suspending its services to Hong Kong.

With the rise in Covid infections the holidays of 10 million Italians are at risk, and it is estimated this would cost 4.1 billion for domestic tourists alone - a third of which is destined for food, both in restaurants and across agricultural tourism, says the Italian Farmers’ Association Coldiretti. 

The hospitality sector will pay the highest price

Coldiretti underlines the fact that inevitable new restrictions due to the resurgence of the pandemic would ruin any chance of a return to normality for the holidays, even after the strides that have been made by the vaccination campaign. The Association explains that the hospitality sector will pay the highest price with suppliers of accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, shopping and souvenirs set to receive another major economic blow.

Fears for the traditional Christmas markets

The new planned travel routes for many regions in the yellow zone fuel the fear of both a slowdown in general bookings and also the cancellation of many Christmas events, starting with traditional seasonal markets that are a key commercial opportunity for many areas and concerns. Also at risk is a severely tested production network that had hoped to restart after the harsh Christmas of 2020 that was marked by the lockdown and the loss of both domestic and foreign tourism.

Relax your mind and invigorate your body by immersing yourself in the warm waters of the swimming pools at the best hotels in South Tyrol. The Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort is a top destination for skiing and wellness lovers alike, thanks to its special tailor-made services and unique location. Among its 2500 square metres of wellness, it offers a rooftop infinity pool with water at 33 degrees and an incomparable view of the Dolomites, exclusively for adults, and the large panoramic outdoor whirlpool is great for the whole family (Tel. +39 0474501036, www.myexcelsior.com).

Watch skiers from the Romantik Hotel Cappella’s outdoor pool

In Colfosco the Romantik Hotel Cappella is a recently renovated 5-star hotel boasting an outdoor relaxation area and a heated outdoor pool with a breath-taking view. Immersed in the water at 30 degrees, you can contemplate not only a truly special panorama of the Dolomites but also watch skiers whizzing past on the slope that rises right next to the hotel (Tel. 0471836183, www.romantikhotels.com).

Skiing and wellness in Dobbiaco’s Romantik Hotel Santer

A privileged perspective is also offered by the Romantik Hotel Santer in Dobbiaco. Here you can really enjoy the mountains which are perfect for skiing and delight in the more relaxing wellness centre with its indoor pool, relaxation areas, whirlpool, saunas and a panoramic outdoor pool with 36 degree water (Tel. 0474972142, www.romantikhotels.com).

The Romantik Hotel Post Cavallino Bianco in Nova Levante has a winter garden

The 30-degree outdoor swimming pool of the Romantik Hotel Post Cavallino Bianco in Nova Levante cannot be experienced as a simple bath as it is surrounded by a 45,000 square metre winter garden, with the imposing Latemar mountain ruling the landscape. The reinvigorating swimming pool is just one of the hotel's wellness offerings, and is also inspired by the Dolomites.(Tel. 0471613113, www.romantikhotels.com).

The 5-star Romantik Hotel Turm in Fié allo Sciliar has a salt grotto

Last but not least, the view from the Black Pool at the 5-star Romantik Hotel Turm in Fié allo Sciliar is breath-taking, as is the surrounding landscape especially when the Sciliar mountains are covered in snow. From the outdoor pool you can also directly access the indoor pool, and then perhaps decide to relax in the mountain pine sauna, the aromatic Turkish bath, the salt grotto, the new sauna, the gym or even the recently built relaxation room. (Tel. 0471725014, www.romantikhotels.com).

American Express and Italo have renewed their partnership, with the Italo Più loyalty programme adding new exclusive benefits for Italo American Express cardholders. At the same time the Italo Impresa portal, dedicated to SMEs, also joins the partnership, introducing important innovations and advantageous offers to ensure the best solutions for business travel.

Discounts of 50% on business fares  

Registration on the Italo Impresa portal is free and members can travel with discounts of up to 50% on business fares, managing their invoices independently and simply. Furthermore, by purchasing Flex Comfort, Prima and Club Executive tickets, Italo returns a 40% cash back that can be immediately used to purchase other Italo Impresa tickets. The partnership also allows holders of an American Express card for business expenses, who register for the first time on the Italo Impresa portal, an additional cash back of 5%, 6% or 7% based on the American Express Green, Gold or Platinum card, valid for six months after registration.

One point for every euro spent on the card

The renewal of the partnership between the two companies also brings extra Italo Più benefits for holders of the Cobrand Italo American Express Card. In addition to automatic entry to the Membership Rewards® Club, which allows one point for each euro spent with the card, holders will be entitled to four annual accesses to Italo Club Lounges with the possibility of hosting a travel companions using the voucher system. 

Preferential Fast Track access

The Italo American Express Card also allows a free upgrade for every five Italo tickets purchased and, in the stations where the service is available, preferential access to the Fast Track. Special Italo Più points bonuses are also reserved for cardholders, equal to 20% more points for the purchase of Flex fare tickets for travel in all classes. With the Italo American Express Card it is also possible to obtain a bonus 4,500 Membership Rewards points against € 7,000 spending in a year which can subsequently be used to request free Italo awards tickets. www.americanexpress.it/clubmr

Museums, noble palaces, a large historical centre, the port and the sea, the aquarium, theatres, exhibitions, year-round activities and gourmet traditions. Genoa has all of this, and is not just a city to visit for its cultural and architectural legacy, but also a place of a thousand delights to discover and enjoy at any time of year.

Green experiences to attract visitors

"To revitalise the city and send a clear signal to everyone - explains Tourism Councillor Laura Gaggero - we have brought operators together to create a tourist experience. Even smaller operators, as it only by putting all the pieces together that we can attract the attention of tourists." The Green Hub facility, sponsored by the Municipality but administered by different operators, has just inaugurated and concentrates on green experiences. 

A tourist pass for transport, museums and visits

“We have also developed a tourist City Pass - adds Gaggero - which includes various services such as buses, but also experiential visits and some of the city’s museums. The pass can be topped up according to the services the user chooses. This initiative has also helped to revive tourism in the city.”

One free night for every two in participating hotels

Genoa has just reintroduced the autumn edition of the Genoa, seize the moment project which was first presented in May and is heavily reliant on the Genoa City Pass. Until 20 December guests staying two nights in participating hotels will receive a free night in addition to the Pass, while those staying in non-hotel facilities will receive a free 48-hour city pass with a limited use of mobility and some free guided tours.