L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 F irst, the Jubilee in R o m e , t h e n t h e Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. The n e w y e a r b e g i n s with a major national invest- ment, not only in grand events but also in domestic tourism, facing the dual challenge of hospitality and managing an e n o r m o u s o r g a n i z a t i o n a l machine. On one side, there's the management of airport traf- fic and accommodation facili- ties; on the other, the pressing issues of over-tourism and over- booking. The possibility of arriving in Rome and finding a city overcrowded to the brink of livability, with evident logistical challenges—not just insufficient accommodations but also understaffed personnel—is very real. This is particularly true if the Jubilee is concentrated in a single city already known for its chaos: realistically, handling 35 million visitors and 105 mil- lion overnight stays would be difficult for any location. As many have pointed out, the solution lies in "redirecting traffic," or spreading tourists across a much wider area, includ- The great opportunity to discover Italy with the Jubilee From the Editor ing not just Lazio but the rest of Italy, which has so much to offer, as we well know. It's no coincidence that ENIT, the national tourism agency, is also focusing on local festivals and events to promote quality widespread tourism, leveraging the numbers forecasted for 2024: 4,000 summer events across towns and cities throughout the country, with an estimated 28 million visitors distributed nationwide. After all, Italy is a col- lection of excellence—landscape, art, and gastronomy—that draws an international audience interested not only in visiting places but in experiencing them fully. These visitors want to savor the essence of Italy, increasingly seeking firsthand expe- riences of la dolce vita, the beautiful language, great food, and good weather, surrounded by the grandeur of its beauty and the craftsmanship that has made Made in Italy so renowned. Rome will indeed be the primary destination of 2025, the top attraction, but Italy as a whole serves as a grand hub for discovery and hospitality. The objective isn't merely decentralization or seasonal adjustment. Tourism is a tremendous development opportuni- ty if it manages to build an ecosystem of businesses around these major events, as well as the regular summer flows, fos- tering regional growth over time. Most importantly, it should ensure visitors leave with excellent memories of their journey. Only then will it truly be possible to capitalize on the incoming resources, transforming them into jobs, new investments, and a tourism offering that meets expectations. The benefits will undoubtedly be long-term. If Italy is already living off its good reputation today, tomorrow, it could thrive on an excellent one. In other words, the logistical and organizational challenge that will involve the entire nation between 2025 and 2026 must ensure that these significant events are experienced memorably, safely, and impeccably by all pilgrims and visitors. As tourists, we'll have the chance to discover a wonderful country where places are steeped in history and memory, where a sense of community and folkloric roots blend unique- ly with the modernity and technology of a cutting-edge nation. We'll fall in love with a country that has evolved far beyond the one left behind by emigrants in the 20th century. As Italians or Italian Americans with family roots still firm- ly planted in the Belpaese, we can take pride in seeing the national economy grow further. Tourism can become a growth driver, an opportunity for all sectors of production. "As ENIT," said CEO Ivana Jelinic, "we are aware that the Jubilee, with its international scope, is an unmissable opportunity for tourism visibility not just for the capital but for the entire country. The various data sources are very promising, but in my opinion, the challenge will be to ride the wave of the Holy Year's visibil- ity to further optimize our narrative to international media and our promotion for Italian tourism companies. This includes creating communication and marketing synergies in preparation for the Winter Olympics, which, while starting in 2026, will enter the core of communication and promotion as early as 2025." In other words, all businesses that align with Made in Italy will benefit from positive publicity, multiplying the overall impact. This January, with calendars still free of commitments, let's take some time to plan a trip to Italy in the next two years. The offerings, opportunities, and experiences are vast and spread across the entire peninsula, from North to South. Best wishes, dear readers, for a great 2025 and a wonderful Italy. Here on the pages of L'Italo-Americano, we'll continue to bring you stories of the Belpaese, and, for those who manage to plan an experiential journey, to the Peninsula that great writers have called the "Garden of Europe." Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2024 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

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