The hotel business is one of the main sectors of the world economy, both in terms of
employment and direct contribution to gross domestic product; the long-term trend
also shows that international tourism demand is growing at higher rates than the
economy itself. In the European Union the hospitality sector is, together with tourism,
the third most important socio-economic activity; in 2017 this geographical area
confi rmed itself as the largest tourist destination with 672 million international
arrivals. The dynamism of the sector has allowed a signifi cant increase in the number
of businesses and employees in recent years, with the creation in the countries of the
old continent of 1,6 million new jobs in the period 2013-2016; the positive impact
on employment has even proved vital in rural areas and far from the major directions
of international trade. In this sector, Italy is among the most important European
countries: it occupies the fi rst place for number of hotel rooms, the third place for
number of overnight stays and is the country with the greatest capacity to attract
tourists from non-EU countries. However, the hotel sector is also extremely important
as an investment driver for other sectors of the economy, such as construction, plant
engineering or furnishings, thanks to the constant process of restructuring and
upgrading of facilities, necessary to maintain a high level of competitiveness and
better meet the growth of guests’ needs. Hotels are currently moving towards higher
levels with an increase in average size, a progressive migration towards medium-high
categories and a growing off er of innovative and personalized services. Today the
sector is facing the challenges of our time: maximising the positive eff ects of tourism
on the economic, social and cultural side, minimising the negative consequences and
promoting sustainability in all its aspects.
Sector
HOTEL SOLUTIONS
HOTEL SOLUTIONS
6
7