Travel Trends
ITA Airways Board of Directors approves 2026-2030 Business Plan
ROME – ITA Airways’ Board of Directors has approved today the Company’s 2026-2030 Business Plan. The Plan is structured around three fundamental strategic pillars:
- Strengthening the competitive position: ITA Airways aims to establish itself as Italy’s reference carrier – efficient and innovative – offering high-quality connectivity in close collaboration with the key sectors of tourism and international trade. At the core of the Company’s strategy is delivering exceptional service to both business and leisure travelers, with a continuous focus on economic,
social, and environmental sustainability through responsible resource management. - Network and fleet development: The Plan focuses on expanding the long-haul segment and increasing intercontinental destinations from the Rome Fiumicino hub. Connectivity will also be
enhanced through commercial agreements and strategic partnerships with other Airlines. Meanwhile, the fleet renewal process will continue, prioritizing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, in line with the Company’s sustainability commitments and EU regulations—such as the elimination of ETS free allowances. By the end of the plan period, the fleet will be almost entirely made up of next-generation aircraft. - Strengthening integration with the Lufthansa Group, the world’s fourth largest Airline group, as a strategic advantage to leverage significant operational, commercial, and technological synergies,
boosting competitiveness, the access to new markets, and driving continuous innovation in passenger services.
Below are the key development priorities outlined in the Business Plan.
Network
The 2026-2030 business plan places great emphasis on expanding and strengthening the network, particularly long-haul routes. ITA Airways plans to launch new routes connecting Rome Fiumicino with key destinations in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa, tapping into growing markets and meeting the needs of an increasingly global customer base. These new routes will not only promote inbound tourism to Italy but also increase commercial and cultural exchanges, reinforcing ITA Airways’ role as a bridge between Italy and the world.
In addition to intercontinental growth, the plan also targets expansion within Europe and the Mediterranean, leveraging partnerships to provide fast, efficient connections. The network strategy is designed with flexibility, enabling adaptation to market trends, regulatory and economic changes, and evolving geopolitical dynamics, which will be continuously monitored.
Special attention is also given to innovating onboard and ground services, aiming to enhance the passenger experience through advanced digital solutions, modern comfort, and initiatives focused on environmental and social sustainability. The goal is to build an Airline that combines operational efficiency, service excellence, and responsibility towards the Country and the communities it serves.
Fleet
The Plan calls for adding one new additional long-haul aircraft each year starting in 2026, as part of a strategy to introduce next-generation aircraft while gradually retiring older models. The fleet is expected to average around 100 aircraft, which by 2030 will be entirely composed of new-generation models. This supports network growth and promotes the use of the most advanced and environmentally friendly aviation technologies in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Alliances and Synergies with the Lufthansa Group
Over the five-year period, operational and strategic synergies with the Lufthansa Group will be progressively strengthened, expected to deliver benefits in terms of revenue gains and cost savings. The plan also foresees full integration into Star Alliance from early 2026, along with pending approval of joint ventures for flights between Europe and North America (A++) and Europe and Japan (J+). These alliances are key to expanding the range of destinations and ensuring seamless passenger services, supported by partnerships between loyalty programs (Volare and Miles&More), cargo synergies, and a broad range of codeshare agreements.
Workforce
Starting in 2026, a program will be launched to grow and develop staff, closely aligned with the Company’s evolving fleet and network. At the same time, initiatives will foster a stronger sense of belonging, helping make ITA Airways an increasingly competitive and sustainable player in the global aviation market.
“I would like to express the warmest appreciation from myself and the entire Board of Directors to the people who worked in the last weeks for the Business Plan approved today, which will guide and ensure the development of the Company in the next five years.” said Sandro Pappalardo, President of ITA Airways. “We are laying the groundwork to continue being Italy’s reference carrier with a strategic role for the national economic system and to increase connectivity with the rest of the world.”
Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, added: “Today marks another milestone for the Company. The approved Business Plan makes it possible for ITA Airways to continue developing sustainably through Lufthansa Group synergies. With the expansion of our network, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, partnerships with major global players, and our commitment to service excellence, we will be able by 2030 to bring more and more passengers – departing to and from Italy – to choose ITA Airways. This will create attractive job opportunities and generate a positive economic impact for the air transport industry”.
The article ITA Airways Board of Directors approves 2026-2030 Business Plan first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
Travel Trends
Annoying travel ‘bugbear’ prompted Aussie couple to pack their entire lives into a van | Exclusive
It was a simple observation that led this young Aussie couple to completely change their way of life.
Priya Sharma and her partner Sid Madiwale were travelling through New Zealand when they noticed something they had never seen in Sydney.
“Everywhere people were van-lifing,” she tells 9Travel, “There was just a ridiculous amount of vans on the road”.
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So the next time they returned to New Zealand, they did as the locals do and rented a van, and in the process they discovered a comfort they had never felt before while travelling.
Priya’s number one bugbear while travelling was dragging suitcases around hotel rooms and back to cars, inevitably forgetting something.
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But with the van, “I never had to pack or unpack. All of my stuff was in the van”, she says.
“We could stop and just be in the most beautiful location ever, have a cup of tea, cook breakfast. It was truly the most simplest things about it. I felt like I was more in the moment, because there was so much I didn’t have to worry about.”
Even when the long-term couple returned to the little Queensland mining town where they both worked as explosives engineers, the idea persisted.
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Their rosters meant they would have seven days of work followed by seven days off, and previously they would rent “very average” motel rooms in larger cities to have a getaway. But their newfound discovery had them instead investing $8000 on a starter van.
“That way we would drive along the coast. We wouldn’t have to worry about booking a hotel. We just throw everything in our van,” she explains.
The process showed her just “how much I would not need a home.”
Their humble abode stores a lot more than you would expect, with the pair packing their summer and winter clothes, hiking gear, formal and Indian attire, kitchenware, and even their suitcases so that if they find themselves whisked away on an overseas adventure, they can do so on a whim.
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“I thought I would need more, and I don’t. I think that’s the biggest surprise when you live in a van,” says Priya.
As they settled into the new way of life, Priya began documenting the “renovations” they would do to the van to make it more like home on TikTok, where they gained a substantial following.
Eventually the couple were able to quit their day jobs and become “digital nomads”, roaming around the east coast of Australia while documenting their adventures.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, especially when it was raining.
Their first van was “really miserable to live in” when a sudden shower would hit. The couple weren’t able to enjoy the creature comforts of a rainy day – like a nice long hot shower or a hot meal – since their cooking station was outside and they had a tiny shower.
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When they bought a new van, they made sure to utilise what they learned from the first time.
Their new van is fitted with an induction cooktop for safety, all of your regular kitchen gadgets like an air fryer, adequate counter space, a TV, and even internet.
Most of all, it was “important to us that Sid and I can sit and eat dinner together, so we have two little seats facing each other.”
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Despite being in close quarters with Sid – who is not only her life partner of 13 years but also her business partner, with the pair selling her Dad’s Special Spice Mix around the world – the couple don’t tend to get on each other’s nerves.
“Historically, whenever partners work together, there’s a lot of clash… (but) I think because we had so much time where we were forced not to see each other… it’s our normal,” says Priya.
“I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I couldn’t imagine only seeing my partner for a few hours of the day. And that is a huge privilege, that we do get to spend all day together.”
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Friday, August 1, 2025
Heading into the summer season of 2025, tourists are getting ready to experience a diverse assortment of destinations and types of vacationing based on trends set off by concern over prices and anxiety about global unrest. From time-honored classics like Paris and Rome to more offbeat escapes such as Iceland and the Azores, it seems 2025 is set to be a year of adventure — with practicality in tow. Some may be influenced by the increasing price of travel, turning to value-oriented trips or simply staying closer to home. Below is a look at some of the key trends anticipated to influence summer travel five years from now.
Trending Destinations for Summer 2025
They revisit old bucket-list destinations, the first major trend for 2025. Domestic and international destinations alike are experiencing a surge in popularity, according to flight-tracking company Dollar Flight Club. Overseas, the top-of-mind destinations are cities such as Paris, Tokyo, and Rome, along with beach towns like Cancun and Bangkok. These cities, each with its unique elements from rich culture to beautiful landmarks and lively vibes, draw tourists in every year.
Traditional top destinations domestically, such as Honolulu, Orlando and Las Vegas, New York City, and Denver, are also popular this year. These famous names are still bringing in tourists for the sights, great family fun, and general “city goodness.”
The Emergence of “Coolcations” and Shorter Getaways
Cool, as in cold similar mindset has boosted the coolcation: People are craving a vacation that’s more chilled out and less crowded, which could mean going somewhere cooler (as in temperature). Closer to two-thirds of Americans live between Texas and Georgia. These spots provide relief from the summer heat, along with lots of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Destinations like Dublin, Edinburgh, Reykjavik, and Copenhagen are also drawing more bookings for travelers eager to experience cooler temperatures (or fewer tourists).
Another trend is the love affair with short, surprise trips showing no signs of weakening. In the post-pandemic world, travelers are predisposed to reserve fast getaways, sometimes involving long weekends. This corresponds with a wider appetite for flexibility and increasingly frequent getaways, as people opt for places that are just an hour or two away by car or quick flight.
Cost: Cheaper and cheaper options are being added all the time.
Travel costs continue to spiral, and this is impacting how people are holidaying, as they look for the cheapest ways to get away. Based on surveys from travel industry reports, many Americans are choosing closer-to-home vacations or shorter trips to keep their spending in check. Trends to consider in affordable destinations for 2025 would likely bring you places such as Portland, Maine, and smaller U.S. towns like Sedona and Jackson (anything but Mississippi).
Travelers are also becoming more strategic about where they stay, often choosing budget hotels or vacation apartments, or crashing with friends and family. That’s because the hospitality industry has become more expensive, and travelers are seeking ways to save money while still taking a summer holiday.
Labor Day Travel Trends: A Tale of Two Stories
When we look ahead to travel around Labor Day, two degrees of separation were pretty obvious: as soon as the flights venture across borders elsewhere. Domestic flights are relatively cheaper, with average prices 17 percent lower than in 2019, according to Dollar Flight Club. Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Denver, cities that are affordable and offer plenty of fun things to do will see a significant boom in travelers.
But international airfare is climbing, with some routes demonstrating price hikes of 40-60% for the holiday weekend. To get around these prohibitive costs, travelers are looking at less costly options abroad, such as Calgary, Mexico City, and Lisbon, instead of the typical summer hotspots.
Adventure and Experience-Driven Travel
2025 is when active adventure and experiential travel assume the preeminent role for travellers in general. Interest in small-group adventure tours is also on the rise, particularly for places like coastal trails of the Azores and hiking routes through the Dolomites. This shift in mindset is especially common among younger travelers who are interested in immersion and personal development from travel.
In addition to these intrepid pursuits, there’s also an increasing demand for “maximalist travel,” as one jetsetter says she is seeing more and more of in recent years—travelers trying to pack everything they can into a single trip: hitting all the must-see spots and having every experience while visiting just one destination.
How Film and Social Media Have Affected Travel Decisions
There is no question that social media has been a driver of summer tourism decisions. Travel reports that 47% of younger travelers (aged 18-34) say their trips are inspired by social media, with the likes of Instagram and TikTok influencing where they visit. TV shows and movies have also been influential, driving travelers to the filming locations of popular series like “The White Lotus,” which is set in Hawaii, as well as Italy and Thailand.
It’s further evidence of the overlap between entertainment and tourism, as sites made famous in film, television, or literature draw growing numbers to visit – for better (and sometimes worse).
Crusing and Luxury travel: new trends for 2025
Cruise bookings are also beginning to rebound, especially for high-end cruises. For some travelers, a floating resort with boundless activities and seemingly unlimited new destinations is an alluring prospect. In terms of travel booking data, 2025 is set to see a spike in luxury cruises being booked, with the Caribbean and Mediterranean emerging as major winners.
Meanwhile, luxury travel is on the rise throughout Europe—destinations like Paris, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast still top lists for those in search of swanky digs and exclusive experiences. The trend demonstrates a continued appetite for luxury travel, even amid concerns about increased costs.
Economic Concerns and Travel Choices
Economic uncertainty continues to play a key role in summer travel planning. Many travelers are tightening their purse strings and seeking less expensive getaways, shorter trips, or more travel close to home. Record-high airfare prices and inflation are leading a lot of people to choose destinations that give them the most bang for their buck, but not at the expense of great experiences.
Tourists are getting pickier over where they want to allocate their funds—at times choosing dining, cultural excursions, and adventure experiences instead of expensive luxury accommodations or high-end shopping extravaganzas.
Conclusion: The Summer of Many Options
To recap, summer travel in 2025 will be influenced by a mix of timeless trips fit for the social media era and new ways to beat the heat on a budget — with an insatiable appetite for adventure. Travelers remain cautious as economic uncertainty looms, making more conscious choices with an eye to value, shorter trips, and cheaper options. Whether returning to familiar destinations or discovering new remote corners of the world, 2025 is expected to be a diverse and unpredictable travel landscape for those who are open-minded about it.
(Source: Travel industry reports, Dollar Flight Club, HotelPlanner, Emirates, Onefinestay, Enterprise Mobility, RateGain, U.S. News & World Report, MasterCard Economics Institute, Kayak, Google, Explore Worldwide, Squaremouth, Aon Affinity, Vacasa, Hilton, Tripadvisor, Allianz Partners, Kindred, Vacasa, Deloitte, Expedia, Whimstay, Trevolution Group, Pilot and Campspot, Harvest Hosts, RateHawk, LugLess, Lodgify, Fora Travel, Classic Vacations, WorldVia Travel Group, Trevolution Group, and Classic Vacations.)
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