April 18, 2026
For the Winter Olympics Airbnb has already activated 24/7 customer support.
Customer service is a priority
Over 600 Italian-speaking operators and the creation of teams dedicated to handling requests related to Milan Cortina are part of a larger £30 million investment in customer service, in Italy in 2025. Airbnb has also introduced significant changes to reduce avoidable cancellations by hosts. Since they were implemented, the cancellation rate in Italy decreased by almost 50% on an annual basis. In the rare event that a cancellation does occur, guests are protected by AirCover for guests and the Airbnb team will assist them in finding alternative accommodation or processing a refund.
“Making the Games…safe and accessible for everyone"
Ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony, the company went one step further, investing £1 million in measures to ensure rapid and effective assistance in the event of unforeseen circumstances related to bookings during the Games, with the aim of minimizing any inconvenience to guests. “Our goal at Airbnb is to offer every guest the best possible experience, especially as Italy prepares to welcome the world to Milano Cortina 2026. From expanding Italian-language support to strengthening security protocols and investing in proactive guest assistance, we are determined to make these Games memorable, safe and accessible for everyone," said Matteo Sarzana, country manager Airbnb Italy
24/7 support during the event
Guests attending the Games will be able to contact Airbnb customer support directly through the app, ensuring that assistance is always available. For those travelling alone and needing immediate assistance for safety reasons, the emergency button integrated into the app guarantees a timely response, confirming Airbnb's focus on guest well-being as well as service convenience.
Published in Hospitality
Monica Lisi
The Giro d'Italia is a key driver for promoting the “country system” said Ivana Jelinic, CEO of ENIT at the BIT travel trade exhibition in Milan.
“2025 was a ‘crazy’ year for inbound tourism”
The Giro d’Italia is an extraordinary opportunity for international tourism growth, said Jelinic, CEO of the Italian national tourist board, speaking at a panel that put the spotlight on the bicycle competition, now in its 109th edition. “The Giro is the perfect vehicle for showcasing Italy in over 200 countries worldwide,- said Jelinic. -It is a serpentine that winds its way through the country, highlighting its unique features and values in a particularly positive scenario: 2025 was a “crazy” year for inbound tourism, and 2026 is shaping up to be another record year.”
ITA Airways is a sponsor of the Giro
ITA Airways is among the sponsors of the Giro, scheduled for May. “ITA Airways continues its tradition of supporting sporting events,- said the company's president, Sandro Pappalardo. -ITA is a cog in the ’Italian country system’ that support sexcellence, of which the Giro is a prime example. Sport is a fundamental driving force for ITA, inspired by the resilience, perseverance and team spirit that are essential for healthy and shared growth."
There are 170 BWH hotels in Italy
Pappalardo's vision was echoed by Sara Digiesi, CEO of BWH Hotels Italy & South-East Europe: “For the second year running, we are partners in an event of the highest symbolic value. With our 170 BWH-branded hotels in over 100 destinations, we believe in the Giro's ability to bring people together, it is an event capable of creating deep bonds with the territory it crosses.”
"The Giro d'Italia generates some 58,000 room nights”
In terms of tourist spending, the numbers add up, as Paolo Bellino, CEO and general manager of RCS Sports & Events, explained: "The Giro d'Italia generates some 58,000 room nights and is an extraordinary driver for our tourism industry, with indirect spending of over €1.4 billion and €2.1 billion in the months following the event. The next challenge will be to network all the iconic cycling routes in Italy, creating a connection that encourages people to return again."
Published in MICE & Events
ITB Berlin 2026 is Fully Booked – Anniversary Edition with Global Appeal and Trend Focus
February 11, 2026ITB Berlin 2026, taking place from 3–5 March at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, is officially fully booked. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the world’s leading B2B travel trade show confirms its global relevance with more than 160 countries represented, strong ticket sales and a high-profile convention. Angola is the official Host Country.
The show is experiencing strong growth in Asia, the Arab world and in cruise, travel technology, medical tourism and adventure travel segments. Major national pavilions include Thailand, Egypt, Türkiye and Italy, reinforcing ITB Berlin’s role as a global marketplace for innovation, dialogue and sustainable growth.
New highlights include MIA, a 24/7 chatbot; expanded ITB Guided Tours focusing on AI, resilient destinations and hotel tech; the rebranded Talent Hub for young professionals; a growing Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion; and six fully booked Travel Technology halls featuring AI innovators, payment solutions and hospitality software providers.
All global regions are strongly represented: the Americas (ahead of ITB Americas launch), Africa with Host Country Angola, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Key segments such as Luxury Travel, LGBTQ+ Tourism, MICE, Business Travel and Adventure Travel continue to expand.
Under the slogan “Leading Tourism into Balance”, the ITB Berlin Convention 2026 will gather 400 speakers addressing AI (including agentic commerce), regenerative sustainability, longevity, inclusive travel and new payment ecosystems.
Special anniversary events, exhibitions and networking formats will celebrate 60 years of legacy. With ITB 360°, its year-round innovation platform, ITB Berlin further strengthens its position as the global hub for tourism innovation.
Published in MICE & Events
RHC Group closes 2025 with double-digit growth and a “Solid demand trend.”
Four properties in Italy
The four RHC Group properties in Italy, Palazzo Montemartini Rome, La Plage Resort Taormina, Hotel Raito and Paradiso Relais in Vietri sul Mare, are a key indicator for the destinations themselves, including Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Taormina, with a mix of clientele in the luxury sector. In addition to Italian guests, the main markets include the United States and the UK with a clientele strongly oriented towards experiential travel.
High performance also for MICE events
The Group also posted a record performance for the MICE segment, with corporate meetings, weddings, private events and high-profile events, such as the Taormina Film Festival, which involved La Plage Resort, and the Giffoni Film Festival with the Hotel Raito, which hosted over 250 private events during the season. Palazzo Montemartini Rome recorded a 20% increase in corporate events over the previous year, with ever-increasing demand from television and film productions.
“We look forward to 2026 with confidence”
“2025 was a year of consolidation and acceleration of our premium repositioning,- says Giuseppe Marchese, RHC Group’s CEO. -We look forward to 2026 with confidence, supported by very solid demand trends in international markets and a strategy that focuses on quality, people, sustainability and experience.”
Focused on enhancing the guest experience
This year, alongside activities dedicated to individual facilities, the RHC Group's strategic plan is strongly focused on training and developing staff and enhancing the guest experience. This is now one of the distinctive pillars of the RHC Group's hospitality model, with a further evolution of digital tools and operational processes planned to support the guest experience.
Published in Hospitality
Florence is Italy's new Gastronomic Capital for 2026 according to BookdiaFork.
Florence and Jerez de la Frontera together
Together with Jerez de la Frontera, Spain's Gastronomic Capital for 2026, these cities will host gastronomic events and much more. At the Olympic Tasting in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Florence was officially named Italian Gastronomic Capital, with Bologna and San Benedetto del Tronto also among the nominees. The event, organized by Beverly Cool and sponsored by the Beverly Group and the Papa Group with Dolceamaro and Nutfruit Italia, celebrated Italian excellence in confectionery, wine and tourism.
A gastronomic bridge between Italy and Spain
The nomination of Florence as Gastronomic Capital 2026 underlines the Tuscan city’s fundamental role in the Italian culinary scene. Alongside Florence, Jerez has already been recognized for its extraordinary gastronomy, particularly its fortified wines and Andalusian culinary tradition. The future partnership between these two cities will build a cultural and gastronomic bridge between Italy and Spain, promoting exchanges and collaboration between chefs and producers. The Olympic Tasting was attended by industry experts and enthusiasts of energy-boosting dried fruit, as well as winter sports idols like champion skier Gustav Thöni.
Promoting gastronomic tourism
With this nomination, Florentine restaurants and trattorias will have the opportunity to organize exclusive events and menus, creating partnerships with Jerez to develop joint initiatives that strengthen the bond between the two cities. This will not only promote gastronomic tourism but also create a new benchmark for lovers of good food and wine. The Italian and European platform BookdiaFork.com is, and will continue to be, a symbol of our gastronomic identity. With the appointment of Florence, it is positioned at the heart of an alliance that celebrates and promotes Italy’s culinary culture, ensuring that the future of catering remains firmly in the hands of those who know and love its value.
Published in Food&Wine
Monica Lisi
Aegean is to reintroduce its flights from Athens to Bari after a few years of absence.
Three weekly Athens-Bari flights
The Greek airline is restoring its seasonal connection from Athens, which will operate three times a week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from late June to early September. This route further strengthens Bari airport's international offering, confirming the central role of Puglia’s airport in the strategies of carriers investing in the region.
“Strengthening the region's international connectivity”
“The return of Aegean is an important opportunity for growth in passenger traffic and a concrete sign of the confidence that carriers continue to place in our airport system,- said the president of Aeroporti di Puglia, Antonio Maria Vasile. -The connection with Athens, an important European capital and strategic hub, is not just a flight, but a union between two areas that are very similar in terms of culture, food and wine, and tourism. We work every day to achieve these extraordinary and by no means predictable results, and I believe that this milestone is a fitting recognition of the commitment of those who work daily to improve the quality of services and the efficiency of airport. With this operation, Aeroporti di Puglia reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the region's international connectivity, promoting tourist flows, business opportunities and cultural exchanges between Puglia and Europe.”
“Making Puglia increasingly…competitive”
“The resumption of three weekly flights between Athens and Bari, strengthens a strategic link in the heart of the Mediterranean and Puglia's international centrality,- said regional councillor for infrastructure and mobility Raffaele Piemontese. -This is a route that connects two territories with a long history of cultural, economic and tourist exchanges and which today responds to a strong demand for mobility, promoting the attractiveness of our airport system. We continue to work to make Puglia increasingly accessible, connected and competitive in the major European flows."
Published in Transportation
2025 proved to be a record year for passenger traffic, confirming the tourism growth trend for SNAV.
Extending operations in the Adriatic
The quality of service, scheduling and the ever-increasing market share chosen by SNAV Cruise Ferries on the Ancona-Split route has prompted the Neapolitan company to extend its operating period in the Adriatic this year with a wider range of departures from April to October 2026. SNAV has allocated ships to all the main destinations such as Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Stromboli, Panarea, Ponza and Ventotene and also to Croatia, enhancing routes and increasing service frequency..
Digital investments and promotions
The new digital booking services have been very well received, enhancing visibility and closer engagement with passengers and travel agencies, supported by collaboration between agencies and tour operators to deliver complete, personalized travel packages. In addition, the enhanced partnership with the Italo railway company has made it possible to reduce the distance between the mainland and the islands by offering passengers the possibility of purchasing a single ticket, and travel with complete peace of mind.
Tours and excursions
In 2026 the big news for tourists regards experiential tours. Following the success of packages to Ponza, Palmarola and Procida, SNAV will launch Escursioni Experience (Excursion Experiences) to Capri, Ischia, Sorrento and Positano. These individual tours will combine maritime transport with exclusive visits and experiences in the area. Organized together with local operators they can be purchased with a simple click on the company's website or through travel agencies.
Environmental sustainability
SNAV continues to invest in environmental sustainability, innovating its fleet with increasingly efficient and sustainable fast vessels. With the addition of the two latest-generation, low-environmental-impact vessels SNAV SIRIUS and SNAV POLARIS, already in service on the Gulf of Naples routes, SNAV has further focused on service quality, safety and environmental sustainability.
Published in Transportation
Travel Friends is one of the most dynamic players in the B2B tourism sector.
Worldwide services, with a focus on Italy
Thanks to a model combining advanced technology, local expertise and a deep understanding of the needs of international markets the DMC is specialized in Italy and has gradually expanded its market presence while maintaining a strong identity. Today it is a B2B core business that encompasses worldwide services, with specific expertise in Italian products.
Over 3,000 hotels in Italy
Travel Friends offers over 2.5 million properties worldwide, integrated through direct contracts, channel managers and global suppliers, guaranteeing availability, competitive rates and a diversified product range of hotels, dynamic packages, tours, experiences, activities, ticketing and tailor-made services. One of its strengths is its presence on the Italian market, with over 3,000 hotels contracted directly on favourable terms.
Reliable assistance and continuous support
This legacy has been built up over twenty years and consolidated through relationships with leading accommodation providers. Thanks to XML connections with the main technology hubs, partners can access a flexible, scalable system that can be easily integrated via API. In addition to technology, Travel Friends offers reliable assistance and continuous support to foster long-lasting collaborations.
Innovation, experience and Italy know-how
Travel Friends is a reliable ally for international tourism professionals, providing innovation, experience and a deep knowledge of Italy. It is a structured partner that efficiently and competitively connects the international market demand with Italian businesses.For information: www.travel-friends.it Contacts. Tel. +39 0444.1157500
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Published in Sponsor
There are temporary changes to Condor's Frankfurt-Milan Malpensa flights for maintenance on a runway scheduled between 15 March and 9 May 2026.
“A 50% reduction in airport capacity”
This will result in a “50% reduction in airport capacity- the German airline explains. -Despite efforts to ensure flight continuity, operations will be affected between 16 March and 23 March 2026.” Condor will operate the Milan-Frankfurt route with two daily flights instead of three, as flights DE4355 and DE4354 between Milan Malpensa and Frankfurt will be cancelled.
Two daily flights in place of three
On 17 March and 24 March 2026, Condor will operate two daily flights between Milan and Frankfurt instead of three, as flights DE4355 and DE4358 between Malpensa and Frankfurt will be cancelled. And, finally, from 29 March to 9 May 2026, Condor will not operate any flights between the two cities.
Published in Transportation
Opera Home Tour combines property viewings with experiential tourism in Piedmont’s Langhe, Roero and Monferrato areas.
A dual certification as a tour leader and estate agent
Opera Home Tour’s owner Ivana Cravero is the only operator in Italy with a dual certification as a tour leader and estate agent. Specialized in tailor-made property tours for high-spending international clients interested in purchasing property in Piedmont, the project, developed by Opera Immobiliare is in collaboration with the tour operator Somewhere. It is aimed exclusively at foreign buyers through tailor-made packages that combine property viewings with tourist experiences in the Piedmont region. “Many houses in certain areas were only being approached by foreign clients, so I came up with the idea of creating this project to combine tourism with property viewings and the purchase of a property in the area,” says Ivana Cravero.
Targetting foreign markets
Opera Home Tour is aimed at an international clientele mainly from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States and Northern European countries, with growing interest also from the Australian market. The preferred destinations are the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato areas, as well as Lake Maggiore. “Tours last 4-5 days and are designed exclusively for couples or groups of 4-5 people. They are customized and include property visits combined with food and wine experiences, cooking classes and tastings at local wineries,” explains Cravero.
Integrated after-sales services
Opera Immobiliare, which has offices in Turin and Alba, aims to accompany the client on a journey that continues even after a sale with a post-purchase assistance service. This covers legal aspects, bureaucratic procedure like utility transfers, opening bank accounts and citizenship applications and, for those buying for investment purposes, short-term rental management. Opera Home Tour communicates through Facebook and Instagram in English and on www.operaimmobiliare.eu with the aim of gradually expanding the project from the Piedmont area to the whole of Italy.
Published in Tours
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