Confcommercio’s president Carlo Sangalli says tourism needs more support, and according to data released by the Italian General Confederation of Enterprises, the sector closed 2020 with -66% arrivals, and -61%  overnights compared to 2019. 

An overall negative balance for summer 

During the summer there was a partial recovery with the June - August 2021 quarter recording +58% of arrivals and + 71% of overnights compared to the same quarter in 2020, but overall there was a negative balance in that summer quarter with -40%  arrivals and -28% overnights  compared to 2019.

“The losses caused by the pandemic are huge”

"The funds allocated for tourism, must remain with tourism - said the president of Confcommercio Carlo Sangalli – Italy’s economy is recovering. However the losses caused by the pandemic are huge, especially for tour operators, travel agencies and the hotel sector. We need more support for the most penalized businesses.”

The extra-EU big spenders stayed away

The fundamental requests are support for business investments, the opening of more extra-EU international corridors for safe travel, and professional training that reply to the needs of the new scenarios. The most negative figures concern foreign tourism with -26% in August 2021 compared to the same month of 2019, and an absence on the market of the so-called extra-EU "big spender".  

For lovers of climbing the Apennine mountains, the central Italian Emilia Romagna region offers a range of possibilities, from rock faces for beginners to climbs for expert mountaineers. But the Emilia Romagna region offers much more than just the climbing itself, because its mountain ranges are also full of beautiful places for walking and picnicking.  

The Badolo, known as the Sand Castle, is for all levels 

Situated a few kilometers from the town of Sasso Marconi, the Badolo, also known as Sand Castle is popular with climbers and athletes from all over the region. One of the largest and oldest free spots in Emilia-Romagna, it is often used as a gym and open air venue by various local associations to teach boys and girls the art of climbing and the culture and respect for the mountains.

With a vertical surface of 120 meters and intricate slopes, the Badolo is approachable by both beginners and hardened climbers. It also has an excellent exposure with many sunny walls and so is an excellent choice for climbers even in winter. 

The Pietra di Bismantova plateau is a mystical place

The Reggio Emilia Apennines have a unique geological formation at 1047 asl called the Pietra di Bismantova. This narrow plateau with steep walls is also mentioned in the pages of the Divine Comedy where Dante compares it to the mountains of Purgatory. And of course this citation adds to the mystical and spiritual air that is often attributed to it. About 45 kilometres from Reggio Emilia along the State Road 63 it is both a destination for families and a rock gym for the most daring climbers. The Pietra di Bismantova’s climbing routes face east, so during winter it is advisable to climb here in the morning. 

A network of climbing walls 

The climbing routes in the Romagna are a dense network of equipped walls located throughout the region’s mountainous and hilly territory, some 24 different places where you can have fun with vertical evolutions of all degrees of difficulty. Areas like the Perticara, which takes its name from the nearby town on the border between The Marches and Emilia Romagna. Hidden inside the Valmarecchia valley and recently brought back to life after a few years of inactivity, the Perticara is a fully equipped locality with a small climbing center. Home to an ancient sulphur mine, the town also preserves the memory of its past in the little museum and mining park where it is possible to organize and enjoy various themed excursions. 

"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).