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ItaliAbsolutely: the new English digital hub by Travel Quotidiano ItaliAbsolutely.com, the new b2b digital hub by Travel Quotidiano, connects Italy with thousands of international buyers. It is a magazine with a mission presenting our destinations to a global audience, and is the only professional information site entirely in English that features

the country as a travel and tourism destination, providing specific and quality news, essential business advice and allimportant facts and figures.

ItaliAbsolutely will be present with a print edition at the most important Italian and international tourism events,

becoming a benchmark for industry players who will be able to keep upto-date on everything that’s happening in the travel and tourism industry in Italy. The first print edition, will be distributed to buyers at the Rimini TTG Travel Experience.

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inside

Rome. Candidate to host Expo 2030 pages 4-5

Sicily. The 6th best island in the world page 11

by

ANNO I - N. 1 13 OTTOBRE 2021

ALLEGATO A TRAVEL QUOTIDIANO N. 29 DEL 13 OTTOBRE 2021 POsTE ITALIANE sPA - sPED. IN ABB. POsT. D.L. 353/2003 (cONV. IN L. 27.02.2004, N° 46), ART. 1, cOmmA 1, c1-TR-0143 - PREzzO PER cOPIA € 0,10

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TTG 2021 EDITION

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2022 Italy’s capital of culture

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y l a t I g n i t c e n con obal buyers l g h t i w MILAN - we wanted to go one step further, to move outside our confines and speak directly to the global players who specialize in italy. So we created italiAbsolutely.com, a showcase of all the nuances of our country, a format packed with information, suggestions, technical details and peculiarities to give you a totally different idea of italy.

A cultural, but also a carefree and enogastronomic italy. A country of fun and refinement, of luxury and major events, of great art cities and colourful towns, of ancient Roman roads and boundless beaches. in a nutshell a constant inspiration for professionals want to create itineraries and organize travel in one of the most extraordinary countries on the planet.

Our name says it all: italiAbsolutely. Absolutely italy. A place you can’t be without.

italiAbsolutely.com, the new b2b digital hub by Travel quotidiano, connects italy with thousands of international buyers. it is a magazine with a mission presenting our de-

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Editore: Travel Open Day srl Proprietà: Network & Comunication srl Autorizzazione del Tribunale di Milano numero 793 del 30/11/91 Iscrizione a R.o.c. numero 13242 del 26.03.2005 Spedizione in abb.postale (pubblicità al 45%)

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«we wanted to take on a new editorial and digital challenge so we set up a hub entirely dedicated to foreign markets - says Daniela Battaglioni general manager italiAbsolutely -. it is a complex undertaking, but we have a high-profile team and very clear objectives. we want to give new impetus to the incoming market, connecting foreign

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PRINTED EDITION The first printed edition, will be distributed to buyers at the Rimini TTgTravel experience fair from 13 to 15 october and will also be sent digitally to the more than 10,000 buyers around the world on www.italiAbsolutely.com’s mailing list

stinations to a global audience, and is the only professional information site entirely in english that features the country as a travel and tourism destination, providing specific and quality news, essential business advice and all-important facts and figures.

We wanted to take on a new editorial and digital challenge so we set up a hub entirely dedicated to foreign markets

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As we are an editorial medium catering to major global markets, to avoid any confusion have chosen to use only the english language. This is an outstanding project and product».

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that’s happening in the travel and tourism industry in italy. The first print edition, which will be distributed to buyers at the Rimini TTg-Travel experience fair from 13 to 15 october, will also be sent digitally to the more than 10,000 buyers around the world on www.italiAbsolutely.com’s mailing list. paving the way for a new form of communication, and in constant contact with buyers worldwide, italiAbsolutely by travel Quotidiano and italiAbsolutely.com a voice to the thousands of italian tour operators, hoteliers, travel companies, DmCs, tour operators, and incoming agencies who want to make their products known.

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Cities and Regions

PROCIDA

2022

We are doing our best to support cultural and tourist activities in every possible way, and today’s designation as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022 is a signal for recovery

NAPLES - Procida, which is one of the Fleagrean Islands in the province of Naples, and has just over ten thousand inhabitants, will be the Italian Capital of Culture 2022.

This is the first time the recognition goes to an island rather than a provincial or regional capital.

Dario Franceschini

“The island’s landscape and heritage are extraordinary”

The motivation: “The cultural project presents excellent elements of attractiveness and quality. There is well-structured local and regional public and private support. The heritage and landscape are extraordinary. While the laboratory dimension with social aspects of technological diffusion is dedicated to the Tyrrhenian islands, it is also relevant for the smaller Mediterranean islands. Thanks to this the project could break the mould and become a model for sustainable development based on island and coastal areas. The project can also transmit a poetic message and is a vision of culture that extends from a small island as a wish for everyone in the months ahead.”

The Procida project endorses the island as an example of relational dynamics

Procida, Non-island culture is the title of the candidacy dossier that highlights how “island land is a place of exploration, experimentation and knowledge, a model of cultures and a metaphor for contemporary man. The power of imagination and concreteness of vision

Procida, the little Mediterranean island off the coast of Naples, will be Italian Capital of Culture 2022

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The programme for the Cultural Capital year focuses on five elements show us Procida as an example of relational dynamics and of practices of inclusion, as well as of care for the cultural and natural heritage.” The procida2022.com website lists 44 cultural projects, 330 days of programming, 240 artists, 40 original works and 8 regenerated cultural spaces that are scheduled for next year.

«In 2022 culture and tourism will be as important and strong as they were»

«This is a complicated year for everyone - said Minister for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Dario Franceschini at the proclamation ceremony -. We are doing our best to support cultural and tourist activities in every possible way, and today’s designation as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022 is a signal for recovery. In 2022 we will be back to normal and culture and tourism will be as important and strong as they were before the pandemic».

l Procida invents.

Projects for artistic processes and events: exhibitions, cinema, performances and site-specific works l Procida inspires.

Projects promoting the island as a source of inspiration, both as a real place and as an imaginary space

l Procida includes.

Social inclusion projects that use the languages of art as tools for the expression of the individual in relation to the community l Procida innovates.

Projects promoting the relationship between culture and innovation, fostering moments of confrontation between the national community of innovators and the local community, and a strategic rethinking of their cultural heritage l Procida learns.

Projects promoting the strengthening of an educating community, through the creation of open alliances aimed at involving all public and private parties

Among the motivations

l Thanks to this the project could break the mould and become a model for sustainable development based on island and coastal areas. l It transmit a poetic message and is a vision of culture that extends from a small island as a wish for everyone in the months ahead

t INSPIRATIONS

city of the soul

ROME

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t NEWS t TOURISM INDUSTRY Cities and Regions

The Italian government has put forward Rome as a candidate for the 2030 Expo

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, in a letter sent to the candidates in the upcoming election to choose a new mayor for the capital city, announced that the government is to nominate the city of Rome to host the Universal Exposition of 2030. «This is certainly a great opportunity for the development of the city» - writes Draghi who thanks the candidates - «for the demonstration of unity in favour of our capital. Hosting Expo 2030 in Rome would be an upturn for the whole of Italy, with new and significant job opportunities and economic revitalization».

Di Maio. “We have to do our best to get this candidacy” Following Draghi’s announcement Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio wrote on Facebook: «This is the starting point of a new path. It is another green challenge, a challenge of urban development and economic growth for our capital, and there is a lot to do. They will be intense months and we have to do our best to get this candidacy», said Di Maio inviting all players to work together.

Expo 2030 would change the face of Italy’s capital city The Rome project is very different from that for the Milan Expo which was concentrated in a single area just outside the city center. The Rome Expo 2030 would be considerably spread out, with the aim of regenerating public spaces and the abandoned architectural works already in the capital. The other candidates for the Expo 2030 are Moscow and the South Korean city of Busan.

Rome’s public transport system needs to change for the better

Rome’s Tiburtina, Pietralata, San Basilio and Aniene suburbs are just some of the areas chosen for territorial reappraisal. By choosing to spread out pavilions and structures Rome will have to invest in and boost its transport system. The Atac public transport company has long been criticized for the poor state of stations and vehicles, and is one of the most important players in view of a possible victory to host Expo 2030. The Expo would be a business of enormous proportions attracting attention from all over the world.

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Cities and Regions

The Region’s kick-start Latium’s Councillor for Tourism Valentina Corrado says tourism is on the upswing and has €15 million to invest

ROME - The first signs of recovery, harmony between industry players, plans for a relaunch, promotions and marketing: these are the guidelines for a return to pre-pandemic tourism levels in the region says Councillor for Tourism and Local Authorities of the Lazio Region Valentina Corrado.

A region to be discovered and enjoyed in all seasons

«The summer season that has just ended showed the first signs of recovery. Working together with the various trade associations we are committed to supporting the sector with investments of €15 million.

Our aim is to attract new tourist segments by creating a different identity for the region and giving visibility to lesser known attractions in the five provinces - to be enjoyed in all seasons – like spas, lakes,

Offer

food and wine, villages, our coast and religious itineraries».

Our aim is to attract new tourist segments by creating a different identity for the region and giving visibility to lesser known attractions in the five provinces

Valentina Corrado

we are working with the various federations, associations and operators to focus on strategic segments such as major events, weddings, motor racing and sport».

The Latium region is a multi-faceted and safe destination Appealing to international «Data from the VisitLazio portal show that neighbou- markets ring countries and also longhaul markets like the USA are interested in the region as a holiday destination said Corrado -. Latium is perceived as a safe destination thanks to the success of the anti-Covid vaccination campaign, and so we are concentrating on training to boost the quality of hospitality and

The goal is to increase the appeal of the brand on foreign markets, stretch the tourist season and offer visitors sustainable and quality services. The Più Notti. Più Sogni offer consists of two formulas. The first offers one free extra night for every three booked and the se-

MORE NIGHTS MORE DREAMS The offer consists of two formulas.

The first offers one free extra night for every three booked and the second two free extra nights for every five nights booked. The offer has been extended to November 30, 2021

cond two free extra nights for every five nights booked.

The offer has been extended to November 30, 2021

Rome is a candidate for Expo2030

Italian Prime Minister President Draghi recently announced that Rome will put forward its candidacy for Expo 2030 and Rome is ready for the challenge said Councillor Corrado «This is a unique opportunity for tourism in our region, with a major spinoff on industries and jobs».

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t INSPIRATIONS

The Spanish Group continues its triumphal march in Italy with two new hotel openings in Milan in 2022

New openings

l The first Italian Anantara luxury hotel opened in the capital, and Nh intends further expanding this urban resort formula, focusing not only on the so-called Big Four (Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice) l Last year also saw the inauguration of the Nh Collection Murano Villa, which will be followed in the near future by the neighbouring Nh Collection Murano.

2021 will also see the debut of a new 5-star hotel in Verona

l The Nh Collection CityLife, which is expected to open in Milan in 2022, will have 185 rooms and a lobby which is in fact a deconsecrated church.

There will also be a new skyscraper unit with extensive meeting spaces and a rooftop swimming pool.

The 101-room Nh Buenos Aires is also scheduled to open

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The Nh Group’s hotels in Italy are all operational again

Goal

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The goal is to return to preCovid levels, when an average 40% of guests in Nh’s Italian properties were international

t NEWS Hospitality

Garibaldi Hotels.

A successful summer season

by MASSIMILIANO SARTI

MILAN - The Nh Group’s 58 hotels in Italy are all operational again. «And we are already seeing substantial growth. Indeed, we have been surprised by the response of some markets - said Director of Business Development Ambra Lee Agnoletti -. In addition to the demand from Italians and neighbouring countries like Germany, Switzerland and France, we also had excellent results from the Middle East in our properties in Milan, Rome and Verona. And since last month we have also started to see some Americans, both individuals and groups, especially in Rome and Venice».

MILAN - The summer season ended with a plus sign for Garibaldi Hotels, the Italian hotel group with 12 properties in the Apulia, Sicily, Sardinia, Latium and Trentino regions, even if it only lasted just over two months. Domestic tourism was a big player and the Trentino and Apulia regions, with highs of 90%, were the two most popular destinations for the Group.

Apulia attracted many visitors thanks to its ease of access

Even in the most difficult moments half our hotels remained open The goal of course is to return to pre-Covid levels, when an average 40 percent of guests in Nh’s Italian properties were international. «But our Italian portfolio is particularly varied, so in some destinations with a strong leisure vocation the figure was completely overturned, with 70 -75 percent of guests from abroad said Lee Agnoletti. Despite the pandemic, the company never stopped operating -. Even in the most difficult moments, about half our hotels remained open, and in 2021 four former Boscolo hotels in Venice, Florence and Rome were rebranded».

Italy’s first Anantara luxury hotel has opened in Rome

The first Italian Anantara luxury hotel opened in the capital, and Nh intends further expanding this urban resort formula, focusing not only on the so-called Big Four (Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice) but also on particularly appealing leisure destinations such as the Amalfi Coast. Last year also saw the inauguration of the Nh Collection Murano Villa, which will be followed in the near future by the neighbouring Nh Collection Murano, and which «has already met with considerable success for the way it

NH Hoteles and Italy a passionate “love affair” Even in the most difficult moments, about half our hotels remained open, and in 2021 four former Boscolo hotels in Venice, Florence and Rome were rebranded

Ambra Lee Agnoletti

brings Venice to life in a decidedly more relaxed style». 2021 will also see the debut of a new 5-star hotel in Verona, «which is giving us great satisfaction, and will cover a segment that has been missing in Verona».

Buenos Aires is also scheduled to open. «And over the next few years we will be adding other properties including a 5-star in Cagliari».

The importance of working with travel agencies and consultants

A growing portfolio of properties in Italy

The Nh Collection CityLife, which is expected to open in Milan in 2022, will have 185 rooms and a lobby which is in fact a deconsecrated church.

There will also be a new skyscraper unit with extensive meeting spaces and a rooftop swimming pool. The 101-room Nh

Flexibility is the name of the game for Nh. «Both Italian and international guests expect us to be flexible and we have been working on an ad hoc and last-minute basis for some time. If flexibility is perhaps becoming even more important than price, travel agencies and consultants can only benefit from guests’ growing demand for professional advice, further strengthening the relationship with hotels and hotel chains».

«Despite the complexity of these difficult times the summer season was a positive one, albeit it with the difficulties of the very short seasonality and lack of consistent tourist flows from abroad - said Fabrizio Prete, General Manager of Garibaldi Hotels -. The best results came from Apulia and Trentino. Apulia has been leading the field for years as a reference tourist destination for the South long before Covid. A trend that continued this year thanks also to the fact that it is easily accessible compared, for example, to the Italian islands. The Trentino and the mountains in general have benefited from the desire to spend healthy holidays in the open air, and it always attracts strong flows from other northern Italian regions».

The Santina Resort in Sardinia is the Garibaldi Hotels new entry

Garibaldi Hotels opened the Santina Resort this summer. This modern property in Valledoria in the province of Sassari is on the northern coast in the center of the Gulf of Asinara. «Work on the Santina took longer than expected - said Prete - and we only managed to open in August.

It’s difficult to judge after such a short period but we received a lot of positive feedback and hit the highest ADR (average daily rate) of all the Group's properties».

European operators are already planning for summer 2022

The Santina also aroused the interest of several foreign operators with German, Polish and Dutch operators visiting the new property with an eye to making substantial investments in 2022. «As far as the Italian market goes, it accounted for about 85% of the Santina’s turnover this summer and we are in talks with some of Italy’s main TOs. Opening the property turned out to be a useful test and we are confident and optimistic for next summer».

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Italy’s leisure destinations performed reasonably well this summer but business travel is still flat

E U C S E R E H T O T E I R E L HÔTEL

but business travel sounds the alarm

A good 50% of tourism in Italy depends on business travel, corporate travel is also vital for the so-called Big Four, Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, so there is little to celebrate

Giovanna Manzi

MILAN - Italy has had a much better summer than last year, driven by the performance of seaside and leisure destinations and thanks to an unprecedented domestic demand. Hotels too are showing signs of life again with a higher occupancy than they recorded in 2020.

But the summer cannot cancel the difficulties of an industry facing an emergency that has not yet been fully resolved. If, on the one hand, tourism showed its resilience, on the other there are serious critical issues that cannot be ignored. One such is business travel which remains flat despite some recent timid signs of recovery, while visitors to the art cities are growing although levels are still a very far cry from those of the pre-Covid era.

The lockdowns have led to a lack of qualified resources for the hotel industry

However it is not just the fluctuations in demand that are worrying Italian hoteliers as the long lockdowns have also generated a widespread lack of qualified resources. According to Fipe-Confcommercio, the Italian bar, restaurant and catering federation, during the peak season hotels and restaurants had to manage with a hundred

thousand fewer workers. In fact many staff moved on to other job, even taking less remunerative offers that are perceived as safer and more reliable.

50% of tourism in Italy depends on business travel which is substantially absent

«The V-curve of the recovery recorded in July and especially in August was mainly driven by domestic flows and some European arrivals, but it cannot and must not mislead us - said Gio-

vanna Manzi, CEO Bwh Hotel Group Italy -. A good 50 percent of tourism in Italy depends on business travel, which at the moment is substantially absent.

Corporate travel is also vital for the so-called Big Four, Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, which account for almost 40 percent of Italy’s tourism turnover. So there is little to celebrate, even if the summer went well overall, but we had a difficult spring and the prospects for the autumn remain uncertain». In July Bwh Hotel Group Italy’s turnover was 39 percent lower than in 2019, while August approached pre-Covid levels (-13%). During the first

Numbers and facts from the summer

According to the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises (Cna) in Italy in August and September there were 23 million domestic arrivals against the 7 million of 2020 and the over 100 million in 2019. There were also six million foreign vacationers which was much fewer than in pre-pandemic summers but more than expected and, says the association was “thanks to the positive effects of the Green Pass”. Some 15 million holidaymakers chose hotels, with non-hotel facilities accounting for the other eight million. Foreign visitors helped numbers in the art cities but seaside resorts were the most popular destinations, also thanks to the extremely hot weather.

A report from Studio Cts Firenze - Assoturismo Confesercenti shows that between June and August, international overnight stays in Italy were approximately 34.8 million, seven million more than in 2020 but still considerably lower than the over 100 million in 2019. The relative recovery of flows from across the border was mainly driven by German, Austrian, Dutch, Swiss and French arrivals with a fair showing also from Spain and the United States, but with little interest from the Russian market.

eight months of the year the company's turnover remained 60% lower than in the same period pre-Covid.

The Green Pass, a useful tool we hope will be extended

I would say that this summer was decidedly positive: especially for seaside destinations that fared better than expected

Luca Boccato

For Luca Boocato, CEO of Hnh Hospitality, the glass is a little more than half full. «Given the circumstances I would say that this summer was decidedly positive: especially for seaside destinations that fared better than expected as did secondary locations like Verona and Trieste. But yes, the main destinations such as Rome and Milan did suffer, and while Venice pulled up slightly it is far removed from 2019 levels».

Another challenge for Hnh Hospitality over the last 18 months has been the constantly changing regulatory context added Boccato. Hnh Hospitality’s seaside properties exceeded the 2019 season by 18.5 percent. The art cities of Rome, Trieste, Verona and Venice also posted good results while business hotels in Mestre, Verona, San Giovanni Lupatoto, Bologna and Padua did not fare so well due to the contraction in business and MICE demand. «The Green pass has proved to be a useful and effective tool and we hope it will be extended as necessary».

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n o i h s a F f o d Lan

the best is yet to come

ITALIAN OUTLET LEADER LAND OF FASHION IS ADDING NEW BRANDS TO ITS VILLAGES AND PREDICTS A ROSY FUTURE MILAN - Land of Fashion is an outlet leader in Italy with over 150,000 square meters of villages in many popular destinations. Like all Italian and European businesses it was hard hit by the Covid pandemic, and to get a clear picture of how things are now we spoke to Hubsolute's Chief Business Development Officer Mauro Acquati.

We’ re strong players, we work at local levels. We are positive and we hope to come out stronger and with a great future ahead of us

Mauro Acquati

At what stage is the recovery?

What are your current numbers?

«Overall we are better than 2020 but worse than 2019. At this stage of the recovery we can say we are somewhat satisfied. Since May we even exceeded pre-pandemic numbers, and the 2021 closing forecast will bring a similar growth rate to 2020, although it will not reach the overall performance of 2019».

Which outlets are working best with tourists?

«Our villages are in destinations with a strong tourist vocation.

Cinque

Gli Outlet Village di Land of Fashion:

l Franciacorta Village

l Valdichiana Village l Mantova Village

l Palmanova Village l

Puglia Village

The villages of Franciacorta and Mantua get the spin-off from Lake Garda. Palmanova benefits from travellers heading to the north-eastern coast. Valdichiana is in the heart of Tuscany, and Molfetta exploits the growing popularity of Apulia. All our villages had a very satisfying summer».

What are Land of Fashion’s prospects in a market that now seems to have turned the corner?

«We are strong players, we work at local levels. Our customers have remained faithful and are rewarding us. This has also allowed us to add to the brands with new openings and with others in the pipeline. We are positive and we hope to come out stronger and with a great future ahead of us».

Have you gone back to pre Covid numbers?

«Yes, as a trend. But the first part of the year weighs on the overall result».

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Leisure

y l i c i S f o y Thelebeaut

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aves you breathl ess

The ranking

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Milos Folegandros Saint Vincent Grenadines Madeira Andaman Islands Sicily

The beauties

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Sicily, Italy’s largest island, wins the World's Best Award by Travel + Leisure

PALERMO - Sicily ranked sixth among the most beautiful islands in the world, in the annual ranking of the World’s Best Award by Travel + Leisure, finishing behind the top two islands in Greece, Milos and Folegandros, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Lesser Antilles, Madeira in Portugal and the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. This is a particularly significant result because to draw up the ranking readers are asked to rate their travel experience, taking into account a series of factors from hospitality, to the sea, food, culture and places to visit.

In the top ten for the second consecutive Gulf of Patti year Mondello Beach Alberto Sarmonà, Regional the Valley of the Temples the Scala dei Turchi Modica Taormina, the Gulf of Aci Trezza Mount Etna

Councillor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, commented on the ranking: «This is an important recognition, above all for the fact that our island was included in the prestigious topten for the second consecutive year, climbing three positions compared to 2020 when it finished in ninth place. At last the

world is realising how special Sicily is for its nature, landscapes and cultural beauties. This is what we have to offer visitors and the regional government is working tirelessly, focusing on our unique beauty to build our future».

But what is it about Sicily that won over the readers of Travel + Leisure? What gives the region the edge is above all its immense cultural heritage.

«We have ancient Greek and Roman sites and museums,

At last the world is realising how special Sicily is for its nature, landscapes and cultural beauties

Alberto Sarmonà

wonderful friendly people, and the best food you will ever taste» and «The coastal cities are as beautiful as any you can imagine», are just two of the comments that were made by Travel + Leisure readers.

Sicily is indeed a true treasure trove of stunning attractions from The Gulf of Patti to Mondello Beach, from The Valley of The Temples to The Scala dei Turchi, from Modica to Taormina, from The Gulf of Aci Trezza to Mount Etna, and we could go on…..

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t INSPIRATIONS Experiences and Tips

t TRAVEL INDUSTRY

Avanspettacolo!

Italy’s first cabaret dinner show is open to the public and for special events in Venice

VENICE - Venice is the first city in Italy to have its own cabaret dinner show. The Grand Show Magic is an international musical show suitable for all ages.

Starring top-level singers, musicians, dancers and contortionists it is housed in an exclusive and elaborately decorated theatre-restaurant which recreates the atmosphere of an 18th-century Venetian theatre.

Traditional Italian and Venetian dishes

And to make the experience even more unique the culinary creations of the chef are a refined take on traditional Italian and Venetian dishes. There are

TIPS

AVANSPETTACOLO THEATRE RESTAURANT Venezia Via della Fisica

Opening hours: 19.30 - 02.00 Show start: 21:30

INFO & BOOKING Ph. 0039 041 5470230 info@avanspettacolovenezia.com

performances every Friday and Saturday evening for the general public, and every day for groups making it an exciting new attraction and distinctive venue for international meetings and incentives, private events, conferences and business dinners.

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After a slow start to the year the car rental business picked up well in summer and the web check-in is just one of the new options for customers

MILAN - The pandemic had disastrous consequents for tourism on both national and international levels, but car rental was one of those sectors that held up better than most And now it is bouncing back. We talked about it with Franco Tomasi, managing director of Noleggiare.

It seems that car rental is one of the sectors that has picked up very fast. Can you confirm this?

«Yes, after a very stagnant early part of the year, things went very well this summer both in terms of volumes and turnover. The agencies that were most successful were those in seaside re-

sorts, in particular in Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria and Apulia. Unfortunately agencies in airports like Fiumicino and Malpensa are still suffering, but we are optimistic there will be a gradual but consistent recovery. In fact we are already beginning to see it».

What is the reason for this extraordinary rebound?

«It’s due to the rebound in tourism, especially domestic tourism but also that from neighbouring countries. I’m referring in particular to the non-intermediated individual tourist who rents a car to be independent and organized. Within the tourism supply chain car rental is one of the most easily accessed services, thanks also to the

numerous sales channels available».

How has the car rental customer changed?

«As I said, the car rental customer is increasingly independent and books directly on car rental company portals or through a booking broker. He is increasingly aware and informed, demanding and contemporary.

But let's not forget the importance of the B2B supply chain partners, who, as always, will be decisive when international flows start again».

What digital innovations will you be introducing to make the service more efficient?

«For some time now we have had an efficient and modern re-

Within the tourism supply chain car rental is one of the most easily accessed services, thanks also to the numerous sales channels available

Franco Tomasi

served area for our partners, allowing them to manage the rental quickly under reserved conditions and to source reports in real time. For the end customer some months ago we successfully launched the web check-in option. This makes it quick and safe to make a rental through the agency. Our new app will be launched shortly with these and other innovative services, speeding up and facilitating access to our services».

t INSPIRATIONS Food & wine

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Food Ambassador

a i r u g i L y B

Tradition innovation genuineness

A project promoting the region’s famous and world-class basil, oil and wines MILAN - Three PDO designation of origin products – basil, oil and wine - have shot Liguria into the national and international spotlight, and Food Ambassador by Liguria is an ambitious project that is making quality into an ambassador for a system.

Alessandro Piana

Training the supply chain to promote its products Food Ambassador by Liguria is an alliance with a business and consumer soul, aimed at raising awareness along the supply chain to the importance of bringing certified products to the

Info from....

Union Tour Di Mondo Travel, itineraries and packages all over Italy Travel with us!

Union Tour Di Mondo Travel was founded in May 2017, based on the twenty-year experience of a pool of tour guides and expert escorts specialized in Italy and France. Hospitality is important for us, and we present Italy by also showing its hidden beauties.

We specialize in itineraries and packages in Liguria and Tuscany, but also in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Tuscany, Latium, Campania, Basilicata, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, Sicily and Umbria.

In France we specialize in package tours of the Côte d’Azur and Provence, Savoy, Normandy, Brittany, Périgord, Burgundy and the Loire Castles. We are also park guides for the 5 Terre National Park.

• We offer the following services: • The organization of tailor-made tourist packages in Italy and France for groups and individuals.

• Tailor-made cruise excursions for groups in the Mediterranean.

• GT bus, minivan and car rentals in Italy and France.

• Guide and accompaniment services in Italy, France, Belgium and Spain.

• Reception services at airports and ports.

• Bookings for three, four and five-star hotels, restaurants, workshops, cooking lessons.

table. It uses training and indepth programmes to teach producers how to share with guests the values and identities of the areas in which these products originate. It is also designed for the general public through a gamification app featuring the products and ingredients for traditional Ligurian recipes. And it will become a digital strategy campaign, using food influencers to promote the Food Ambassador by Liguria box which will contain POD oil, wine and basil, and offer food experiences in Liguria.

producers, wineries, oil mills, farmstays, wineries, restaurants and the entire supply chain play as ambassadors for our agricultural and food traditions. The PDO oil of the Ligurian Riviera, the PDO Genoese basil and the PDO and IGP wines of the Enoteca Regionale della Liguria are all protagonists of the Milan Wine Week this October».

Promoting the Liguria region’s unique food traditions and itineraries

«Tradition, innovation and genuineness are the leitmotif of a new path for the enhancement of Ligurian PDO products, promoting training and events and creating a catalogue of thematic experiences and taste itineraries», explains Alessandro Piana, Liguria’s Vice President for Agriculture and Territorial Marketing. «The project is called Food Ambassador by Liguria because it highlights the role

Gastronomic excellences that make Liguria a destination We have for all seasons launched

«We have launched a territorial marketing strategy involving the entire supply chain», says Roberto Moreno, Commissioner of In Liguria. «It is an original format that can be repeated year after year and adapted to the new challenges the market faces. It replies to the ever-growing demand for unique and authentic food and wine experiences, promoting the areas where they are produced and their stories. We have identified taste itineraries to many of the hidden riches and excellences of our region. This is an exceptional experiential tourism key for making Liguria a holiday destination every day of the year».

a territorial market strategy involving the entire supply chain

Roberto Moreno