Salone del Mobile, success beyond expectations: visitors exceed 300,000

And to think that a few weeks after the start of the war in Iran, some people had even started talking about the possibility of a postponement or cancellation of the Salone del Mobile. Rumours without any foundation and immediately denied, of course. But even fears of an underwhelming Salone due to the possible absence or drop in visitors from the Middle East and Asia were quickly denied.

Official numbers will only be announced by the organisers on Sunday afternoon, also taking into account the influx of non-professional visitors who traditionally flock to the stands of Fiera Milano in Rho at the weekend. But if we cross the data and estimates of overnight stays, stopovers and urban transport - as well as the positive feelings of the entrepreneurs attending the event - it is likely that admissions will be over 300,000, above last year's results (302,000 visitors), even if the real comparison will be with 2024, i.e. the last edition that hosted the biennial exhibitions dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms, traditionally the most attractive for buyers and the public.

In any case, as observed by the many exhibitors we have spoken to over the last few days, this isa very good result, higher than expected on an eve when fears of war and its consequences also on air transport and flight costs concerned not only the countries of the Middle East most directly involved (such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait), but also Asia and other distant destinations.

Instead, the halls and corridors of Rho these days were full of professionals, as were the streets of Milan, the shops of furniture companies and the events organised by Fuorisalone.

That 'Ecosystem' of design in Italia (as the Report promoted by the Salone del Mobile in collaboration with the Milan Polytechnic has been entitled) that generates aninduced revenue in a single week every year that Confcommercio estimates this year at around 255 million euro, but which throughout the year generates value and knowledge in the area.