For ENIT the Italian national tourist board, the United Kingdom represents a key international market for Italian tourism, and in recent years it has seen a significant trend of recovery and growth. 

Increases in overnight stays and expenditure 

Since last year, there has been a sustained increase in both the number of UK travellers choosing Italy (+32.5%), which exceed 6.2 million, and in overnight stays, which total over 34.7 million (+15.9%), for average stays of over 5.5 nights. The growth in expenditure, which stands at €4 million 536 million, a +27.2% rise over 2022, represents the core of this market's deep and diversified interest in what Italy has to offer tourists.  Some 52.4% of overnight stays and 63% of expenditure are motivated by leisure holidays, with 26.2% of nights spent visiting family and relatives and accounting for 16.8% of total expenditure, to which should be added around 5% of nights spent visiting friends. Seven per cent of the overnights, totalling 10% of expenditure, were for occasional trips, while 6.5% of the overnights were for study trips, accounting for 2.2% or some €100 million in expenditure.

Culture and art cities dominate

A further €43.4 million was spent on honeymoons, amounting to 205,000 overnight stays.
Almost half of the chosen destinations are related to occasional trips. Among the planned itineraries, cultural locations and the art cities dominate, with a share of 31.5% of the total number of overnight stays - around 11 million - and as much as 37.4% of tourist expenditure, amounting to €1.7 billion. This is followed by seaside destinations, which, with over 4.3 million overnight stays and €600 million in tourist expenditure, account for 12.5% and 13.2% respectively. Lake resorts with 937,000 overnight stays and €231.2 million of expenditure are on the podium as the third type of stay preferred by the British market.

Mountain and green tourism choices are popular 

Among the more niche choices, mountain holidays count 697,000 overnight stays and an expenditure of €132.5 million. These are followed by green tourism, with over 591,000 overnight stays and €92 million spent (a 50% rise on last year).  Amongst the motivational niches, food and wine trips account for 274,000 overnight stays and over €39 million in tourist spending, with sports holidays counting 153,000 overnight stays and generating €23.3 million.

From 2 to 5 December, Sorrento will turn into the capital of cinema with the 47th edition of the Professional Days of Cinema.

The theme this year is the Next Generation

Over 1,500 industry experts will take part in workshops, conferences, events and screenings, while the general public will be able to attend previews and meet the most popular film stars. This year, the theme is Next Generation, and it looks at the tastes and habits of the younger generation, in a magical atmosphere that officially kicks off the Christmas celebrations. A journey for industry experts and big screen lovers and an opportunity to enjoy a few days in the new and refined 5-star luxury hotel Ara Maris, one of the few that is also open at Christmas and New Year.

Celebrating Christmas in Sorrento

The 2024 edition will open to the public with the inauguration, which this year will be on Monday 2 December and will officially kick off the screenings and conferences, right up to the eagerly awaited Golden Ticket evening, which has now become an eagerly awaited appointment for all the people of Sorrento. In addition Sorrento dresses up with many events that officially open the programme to celebrate the Christmas festivities.

Refined stays at the Ara Maris

Visiting Sorrento’s marvellous coastline on the occasion of this event dedicated to the art of cinema is magical and truly unique, added to which a refined stay at the Ara Maris, offers all comforts for those who also travel for business, without renouncing the magical Christmas atmosphere of the Sorrento Peninsula. This contemporary hotel stands out for its strategic location, the starting point for admiring and exploring the beautiful coastline and deep blue sea. From sailing trips to trekking, to the beautiful islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida nearby, there are numerous activities on offer for visitors. For information: www.aramarishotel.com

The Omnia Hotels group is gearing up for an exciting 2025, while the Shangri-La Roma Eur expands.

The new Hotel Imperiale on the Via Veneto

Next year will see the inauguration of the new Hotel Imperiale on the Via Veneto, the Aria Palace next to the Rome Opera House, as well as the brand new Shangri-La Roma Eur, bringing back to life an historic Roman restaurant, as well as offering guests ample outdoor spaces and new rooms.

Over a thousand guest rooms in eight hotels

Omnia Hotels will be able to offer the city of Rome over a thousand guest rooms in its eight hotels, together with restaurants and bars, rooftops, fitness and wellness areas and swimming pools, and of course meeting and event rooms including the newly opened Omnia Convention Center in Eur.

“Our guests come from all over the world”

“These last months of the year see us very busy on several fronts, in a delicate stage of development of the various construction sites for the opening of these three new facilities, together with all the operational activities laid on for our guests who come from all over the world,-  says the company's CEO Francesco Lazzarini. 

The Aosta Valley, or Valle d'Aosta, is home to many products that have been granted D.O.P. Protected Designation of Origin status.

Flavors based on fresh local products

This Italian region that borders Piedmont to the south and east, and France to the west, has many local excellences: jewels in the crown of a range of gastronomic products that have their strong points in the particular geographical location, the quality of the raw materials and ancient production techniques Who has not tried Fontina DOP, the authentic queen of the Valle d'Aosta cheeses made with raw, whole milk? And what about the different flavours of Formadzo DOP which is semi-sweet when fresh and strong when more mature, or the  Vallée d'Aosta Lard d'Arnad which is unbeatable on rye bread or accompanied by honey, and the Callée d'Aoste Jambon de Bosses, the king of dry-cured hams?

Ricotta cheese like you’ve never tasted it

But even outside the D.O.P. ranks, the Valle d'Aosta can boast products of excellence that bring with them the stories and flavors of this territory, together with all their quality, and they are labelled PAT, which denotes a typical food product. We are talking, for example, about Seras, a prized light-coloured ricotta cheese documented in Valle d'Aosta as far back as 1268. And by kneading the ricotta with salt, pepper, juniper, fennel and cumin we get Salignon, which is produced and distributed by some dairies in the lower Valle d'Aosta.

Dried beef, pork lard and BBQ ham

Tough to the eye, Mozetta dried beef is in fact tender and tasty, while the Tetuen salted beef udder goes well with sauces and jams. Then there is the Boudin sausage made from potatoes and lard, the secrets of which have been handed down from generation to generation and whose recipe changes from locality to locality, and another must is the delicious Saouseusse minced and seasoned Aosta Valley beef and pork lard. Among the Valle d'Aosta PATs, one that really stands out is the Jambon alla Brace of Saint-Oyen. Made in the valley of the Great St Bernard, this very high-quality cooked meat is first a brined with salt, aromas and honey, then steamed for 24 hours and finally barbecued in a wood-fired oven

DOC wines for all tastes

And to drink? All the wines from Valle d‘Aosta are under the D.O.C. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) Valle d’AOsta- Velée d’Aoste  label, which unites varieties such as Torrette, Blanc de Morgex-La Salle, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Fumin and many others. Valdostan viticulture is often considered heroic, by virtue of the particular conformation of the land, redesigned with terracing and dry-stone walls in order to grow grapes in most difficult to reach areas.  

Create your own Valle d’Aosta wine route 

This landscape, so profoundly shaped by the culture of wine, offers enchanting scenery to be travelled at leisure, admiring the dizzying rise of the Alpine massifs on one of the many treks that can be enjoyed through the region's vineyards.   If, on the other hand, you decide to assemble your own personal wine route in Valle d'Aosta, there is no shortage of wineries to choose from. And although lighter than wine - and preferred by many - the excellent sparkling local apple cider is another specialty to be enjoyed in the Aosta Valley.

Autumn is apple time in the Aosta Valley

The apple is the absolute queen of the first weekends of October, with the Flta de Pomme in Gressan (Sunday, 6 October) and the Mele Vallée market exhibition in Antey-Saint-André (12-13 October), where all the products derived from the apple can be tasted in addition to the many regional varieties. The biggest food and wine event of the year in Valle d'Aosta, however, is the Marché au Fort at the Fortress of Bard, when the impregnable fortress will be taken over on 12 and 13 October 2024 by no less than 70 producers from every corner of the region. For information: https://www.lovevda.it; https://www.fortedibard.it/eventi/prodotti-del-territorio-e-specialita-gastronomiche-al-marche-au-fort/

The new collaboration between the Leonardo Hotels group and the Ferrari Club Passione Rossa opened with the event From Rome to Paris in Red. 

Thirty red Ferraris on a symbolic journey

On 27 September thirty Ferrari cars, branded Leonardo Hotels and Nyx Hotel Rome by Leonardo Hotels, left Rome travelling to Lazise on Lake Garda, on a symbolic journey that will continue in the next months with a European stop and end in Paris. The partnership also put the spotlight on the new Roman opening of the Nyx Hotel Rome by Leonardo Hotels, scheduled for early 2025. 

“Our hotels are ideal for hosting high-level events”

“We are delighted to inaugurate our collaboration with Passione Rossa Ferrari Club with this unique journey that perfectly expresses the identity of our brands,- say Raphael Carmon, country general manager Italy, France & Hungary. -The From Rome to Paris in Red event testifies to our dynamic and constantly evolving approach. The choice of Lazise and the Leonardo Hotel Lago di Garda to host the first symbolic stage of this Ferrari ride underlines how ideal our hotels are for hosting high-level events.” 

Ferrari Club Passione Rossa - a passion for travel and luxury

The association with Ferrari Club Passione Rossa, an association of collectors who cultivate a passion for travel and the world of luxury, sees the involvement of Fabio Barone, the club's founder and president, who has won six Guinness World Speed Records driving a Ferrari, the last of which was in June 2024 on the Garibaldi aircraft carrier in Taranto. Among Barone’s most spectacular feats is driving 30 Ferraris to the Arctic Circle for the first time in history.

Over 150,000 passengers chose four Italian airports this summer with a load factor exceeding 80%

The two major stopover airports were Dubai and New York

In June and July flights to and from the four gateways served - Rome, Venice, Milan and Bologna – gave Emirates a load factor that exceeded 80% according to data released by the Dubai-based airline on the occasion of World Tourism Day.  The carrier operated over 600 flights with a mix of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s through the four Italian airports. The two main international airports for stopovers were Dubai and New York, although they were not necessarily the final destinations. In fact, beyond these two major hubs, passengers departing from Italy continued their journey to destinations such as Denpasar, Tokyo, Bangkok and Malè.

Arriving passengers stayed almost 17 days 

Considering the 150,000 bookings of the peak period, Emirates' data revealed an interesting trend: as many as 59% of travellers chose to travel alone. This figure underlines a growing trend towards individual tourism and highlights the growing number of business travellers. In contrast, sone 5,900 bookings were made for group travel with three or more people. Passengers arriving in Italy stayed for almost 17 days and spent an average of €1,700 for the flight. Inbound passengers were from Australia, Dubai and New York.

“A summer load factor of 80.9%”

“Italian tourism has experienced an exceptional year – says Flavio Ghiringhelli, Emirates Italy country manager. - Emirates, with a load factor of 80.9% during the summer, consolidated its position as leader in the air sector. Thanks to top quality products and services, unrivalled connectivity and a strong commitment to the Italy, Emirates has contributed significantly to the growth of Italian tourism this summer.”  

The Augustus Hotel & Resort in Forte dei Marmi recently acquired Villa Radici, a historic building set in its own private pine forest. 

“A new concept celebrating villa living”

The property will be inaugurated next year and comprise seven suites. For the entire operation, purchase and renovation, the Augustus Group will invest over €15 million.“The season that has just ended exceeded all our expectations, confirming the attractiveness and excellence of our resort,” says managing director Giacomo Maschietto.

“This exceptional performance motivates us to further invest in luxury and the expansion of our facilities. We are therefore particularly excited to present a new concept celebrating villa living”.

“The historical charm of Forte dei Marmi's Art Nouveau style”

The renovation project of Villa Radici will aim at harmonizing the historical charm of Forte dei Marmi's Art Nouveau style with a contemporary, renewed design. In addition to the eponymous property with its three main structures, Villa Pesenti, La Nave and the Augustus Lido hotel (formerly Villa Agnelli), the Tuscan group is also present in Forte dei Marmi with the 57-room Family Hotel Hermitage and nine independent villas. The company closed 2023 with a turnover of €16.4 million and a 40% core earnings margin. 

Maniace Boutique Hotel Ortigia, the Sicilian new entry of the Una Esperienze brand, has recently opened in Siracusa. 

A blend of ancient and traditional 

Located in the oldest part of the city, it is a 4-star hotel overlooking the small beach of Calarossa and has 21 rooms and suites. Attention to the territory and island style is the common thread that runs through the various rooms, which have typical furnishings, marble floors, and warm and welcoming tones. In the Maniace Boutique Hotel Ortigia Una Esperienze the breakfast room features an ancient apse dating back to the 4th century AD, a private historic garden and an outdoor terrace for aperitifs and tastings.

“One of the most fascinating locations in Sicily”

“The entry of this new property as an affiliate is a further step in our strategy of growth and consolidation in Sicily, where we are already present with five other properties,- says CEO of Gruppo Una, Giorgio Marchegiani. -We are thrilled to be able to offer our guests a new high-level stay experience, in one of the most fascinating locations in Sicily” 

Rimini is to host the 2026 edition of Routes Europe from 18 to 20 May 2026.

Airline, airport and destination stakeholders

The event, announced during Routes World 2024 will be held from 18 to 20 May 2026 and will bring together key stakeholders from airlines, airports and destinations. The event will be hosted by the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Rimini and the San Marino International Airport.

Rimini Airport is a key player for tourism growth

Rimini’s Federico Fellini airport is a key driver of tourism development in the region, with partnerships between 11 airlines serving 16 destinations. The airport is currently being modernized as part of AIRiminum Group's ambitious masterplan to improve its infrastructure, ensuring a safer and more accessible experience for both airlines and passengers.

An important boost for Rimini

“An independent analysis shows that he airports of previous destinations saw their network grow by some 6.9% over their competitors in just three years,- said Steven Small, director of Routes. -Hosting Routes Europe will support Rimini's goal of expanding its air connectivity and strengthening its role in European aviation as well as promoting and developing Rimini as a city at the international forefront,- added Leonardo Corbucci, ceo of AIRiminum 2014 Spa. -We truly believe that Rimini will leave an indelible mark on the participants of the 2026 European Development Forum and will help Airiminum Airport grow even further on all markets.”

“A multi-thematic offer aimed at both leisure and business tourism”

“Routes Europe will be an opportunity to strengthen our position as a leading tourist destination in the global market and to achieve greater internationalization of passengers and tourist flows,- said Andrea Corsini, councillor for mobility and transport, infrastructure, tourism and trade of the Emilia-Romagna Region. - Routes represents a global platform for Emilia-Romagna to develop an integrated policy for our airports….and to promote our multi-thematic offer aimed at both leisure and business tourism, communicating the sustainability and innovation of our key products: Motor Valley, Food Valley, Sport Valley, Adriatic Riviera, Art Cities, Villages, Cycling Tourism, Slow tourism and more.”