The Italian Trade Agency – ITA (Foreign Direct Investment Office and ITA Berlin), as part of the Invest in Italy project (ITA, Invitalia Agency, Ministry of Foreign, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy), participated for the year 2024 at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) held in Berlin from the 15th to 17th of April. This is an important annual initiative, dedicated to the seasonal real estate, and in particular reserved to present the possibilities of investment in the hotel and hospitality sector to international investors.
The participation has now reached its seventh year and is a valuable tool to promote the portfolio of Italian opportunities and to highlight the collaboration between the public and private sector in the hospitality industry, very important for the Country. Italy remains attractive for foreign investments in the hospitality sector, thanks to its popularity as a tourist destination; according to a ISNART survey on selected firms (National Tourist Board/”Unioncamere“) in 2023 tourists were (both Hotels and houses) 851 mn with an economic impact of some 84 bn €. The tourism and hotel sector is one of the fastest recovering sectors, especially in cities such as Florence, Rome, Venice and Milan. As highlighted, Rome remains the market leader with 412 million investments (25% of the total), followed by Milan (8%), Florence (3%) and Venice (2%). Secondary cities and regional destinations have also seen their appeal grow, weighing 16% of total volumes. In 2023, according to a sectoral analysis carried out by EY, real estate investments in the hospitality sector reached 1.6 bn €, confirming the resilience of the hotel sector.
ITA organised its participation in the fair in collaboration with AICA – “Confindustria” Hotels, with which it has built over the years a solid relationship with complementary roles from a system perspective. The Italian institutional presence took place on an area of about 50 square meters with an open space, in which there were lounges, which allowed meetings between Italian operators and potential visiting investors. ITA Berlin along with the Berlin FDI Desk was present at the event as the head of the initiative. Invitalia, project partner, was also present at the fair with a summary of the Italian offer, in line with the characteristics of the initiative.
Last 16th April at 2 pm there was a country seminar organized by AICA- “Confindustria” Hotels, with the aim of engaging investors’ interest in Italy and its opportunities.
