In addition to the President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Roberto Pellegrini, the General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi Alessandra Albarelli and the Exhibition Manager of Hospitality Giovanna Voltolini, the following also participated in the inauguration and opening talk: Alessandra Priante, President of ENIT; Alessandro Massimo Nucara, General Manager of Federalberghi; Marco Fontanari, of the Executive Committee of FIPE Confcommercio; Giancarlo Banchieri, President of FIEPET Confesercenti; Marina Lalli, President of Federturismo; Alberto Granzotto, President of FAITA-Federcamping; Cristina Santi, Mayor of the Municipality of Riva del Garda; Roberto Failoni, Councilor for crafts, commerce, tourism, forests, hunting and fishing of the Autonomous Province of Trento; Alessia Ambrosi and Sara Ferrari, Deputies of the Italian Republic.
Italy's leading international HoReCa trade fair opened today with over 750 exhibitors and 70 top buyers from 20 countries.
The 49th edition of Hospitality – Il Salone dell'Accoglienza , the most complete international trade fair in Italy for the HoReCa sector, organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, was inaugurated this morning in Riva del Garda. The event will be held at the Quartiere Fieristico until February 6. During the four days, 9 pavilions in the 45,000 square meters will bring together the latest trends and a complete proposal from the world of hospitality and catering thanks to the presence of over 750 exhibitors – with 26% of new companies - 160 speakers in more than 100 events, including training and experiential initiatives, and a significant international participation.
The event officially kicked off with the Opening Talk “Hospitality, The People Industry” , a moment of discussion that involved important exponents of the institutional, associative and entrepreneurial world. At the center of the debate was the value of people in the hospitality and reception industry, in an era in which technological innovation and artificial intelligence are transforming the sector.
In his introductory greeting, Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi , underlined the global scope of the event, how it has grown and evolved over the years to obtain, in 2022, the certification of international fair. " Hospitality 2025 presents itself with important numbers: over 750 exhibiting companies, a complete representation of all categories of the HoReCa sector and an ever-increasing focus on internationalization - he declared. - This year we welcome to Riva del Garda over 70 buyers selected from 20 different countries, thanks to our intense scouting activity and the collaboration with the ICE Agency (ITA - Italian Trade Agency). A concrete sign of the attractiveness of our fair and the business opportunities it offers, a goal made possible also thanks to the strategic partnerships we have established, both at local and national level. Collaborating with local entities and with excellent partners is fundamental, it creates added value for all participants and helps to consolidate the role of Hospitality as a leading event in the sector ”.
Alessandra Priante, President of ENIT , analyzed the strategic role of tourism in the Italian economy in her video message and emphasized how Hospitality is one of the most important fairs in our country, which for some years has chosen to focus on people, on the human value of the most beautiful sector in the world, that of tourism, hospitality and reception. " This industry represents a fundamental pillar for the growth of our country, not only in economic terms but also in social terms. It is essential to shift the focus from the mere quantity of tourist flows to the quality of the services offered, enhancing the uniqueness and extraordinary experience that Italy can guarantee visitors. Everything that revolves around the tourist experience is fundamental, but above all it is the people who make this world absolutely unique, unrepeatable and profoundly Italian. We continue to invest in people, in training and in hospitality, because it is through these elements that our sector can remain competitive and distinctive at an international level. "
The role of institutions in the growth of the sector
The theme of innovation and the influence of artificial intelligence throughout the HoReCa segment is central. As Alessandro Massimo Nucara, General Manager of Federalberghi , points out, artificial intelligence represents a powerful resource for catering and hospitality that can improve the efficiency and quality of service, provided that there are adequate skills to exploit it to the fullest.
Public establishments play a fundamental role in Italian hospitality. It is important to support these activities through concrete tools and adequate regulatory recognition so that they can be enhanced as an integral part of the national tourist offer. This is highlighted by Marco Fontanari, of the FIPE Confcommercio Steering Committee , and echoed by Giancarlo Banchieri, President of FIEPET Confesercenti , who recalls the numbers of the sector: over 300 thousand companies with more than a million employees. To face the future challenges of the entire supply chain, it is essential to focus on innovation and continuous training, not only for collaborators, but also for entrepreneurs.
For Marina Lalli, President of Federturismo , the evolution of the HoReCa world also passes through inclusiveness: no longer dedicated spaces but an integral part of the tourist experience that allows every traveler to feel welcomed.
According to Alberto Granzotto, President of FAITA Federcamping , “ Open Air tourism is taking on an increasingly important role in the national context, a trend that is also confirmed in the Trentino area. The elements of success certainly lie in the greater interest of guests in our offer, which becomes successful when attention to the quality of the service goes hand in hand with accessibility and effective sustainability as well as increasingly advanced digitalization ”.
Alberto Mattiello, Business Futurist , guided the audience in the analysis of trends and future prospects of hospitality and catering, highlighting how the combination of technology and human value represents a strategic lever for the future of hospitality.
Among the new features of this edition , the debut of the H EXPERIENCE format, four experiential initiatives dedicated to innovation and accessibility with the second edition of the DI OGNUNO project, and AI Playground , an interactive area where it is possible to explore the role of artificial intelligence in improving business processes.
“ Hospitality is the fair that puts people at the center, The People Industry. HoReCa is a sector that thrives on relationships and innovation, ” said Alessandra Albarelli, General Manager of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi . “In this segment it is not just a question of technology, but of making people's work simpler, faster and more effective. Today, hospitality professionals face daily challenges related to time management, quality of service and customer satisfaction. The adoption of innovative solutions, such as intelligent management systems, digital platforms for booking and order tracking, can really make a difference by also helping to create a more dynamic work environment, with greater agility and competence. Digitalization and the use of AI-based tools allow us to reduce errors, optimize resources by lightening the workload and offer a more fluid and rewarding experience for both those who work there and the customer."
The inauguration and ribbon cutting were also attended by Cristina Santi, Mayor of the Municipality of Riva del Garda , Roberto Failoni, Councillor for Crafts, Commerce, Tourism, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Alessia Ambrosi and Sara Ferrari, Deputies of the Italian Republic.