Garibaldi Hotels accelerates growth: new acquisitions, Mice and a three-year 50 million plan

In its pipeline at the moment, Garibaldi Hotels counts two acquisitions of two historic structures, with a total investment that will exceed EUR 20 million. "We are working with the two most important Italian banking groups to make this project possible," Prete adds.

The final goal for the next three years is then to transform the group into a financial reality open to initiatives from Italian and foreign institutional financial partners.

In recent years, the company, which carries out an extremely diversified business activity, has undergone a metamorphosis: 'We manage structures of various types, located in different geographical areas of Italy, each with its own peculiarities,' argues the managing director. That is why we cannot afford a passive approach to the market. It is clear that foreign markets represent an essential share of turnover, impossible to achieve with the domestic market alone. This is closely linked to the theme of deseasonalisation: at certain times of the year, foreign tourists are the only ones present in certain areas. We must be adept at intercepting them and offer a product in line with their needs'. In some structures, foreign customers, both direct and through tour operators, come to represent 80% of the volume and the objective "is to reach an average of 60% of the foreign market on the total turnover, an optimal balance point. All this has made it possible to conceive a new project launched in 2025 and relating to the creation of various Dmc (Destination Management Companies) within the regions where Garibaldi Hotels is present: "We are testing the project in Sardinia with really interesting results and we will soon start throughout Italy".

A sector in which Garibaldi Hotels strongly believes is that of Mice (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), which represents an important challenge for the group. "The entry of the Hilton in Lecce and the new structure in Rome - which we will open together with a well-known international brand - requires us to structure ourselves internally with a division completely dedicated to Mice, which, in addition to the structures already mentioned, will also benefit our resorts in Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily in this area".

Among the most recent additions is Dimora del Monaco in Matera: 'For us, the location is a central point of primary importance, there is no product of ours that is not in an area of great worldwide recognition,' he comments. 'Matera fits into this context for the most part with an international brand to which we have tied ourselves with a franchising contract. I believe that in internationally recognised destinations, the foreign brand is synonymous with guarantee, reliability and service standards, so we have decided to strategically exploit this policy'.

The numbers for 2024 were interesting for Garibaldi Hotels. Turnover grew by more than 20 per cent, from EUR 17 million in 2023 to 21.5. In addition, 2024 saw an increase in Adr (average daily room) of 8 per cent compared to the previous year, with an average room price of EUR 140 achieved. "It is important to note that the prolonged seasonality has nevertheless led to an increase in occupancy," notes the manager, "which has reached an average of 72%, and all this while maintaining a marginality of 7-8%.

2025 is seeing a positive trend for city facilities, with fairly generalised growth. The seaside facilities have experienced a swing in demand, while the mountains are travelling at a significant pace. "As of today we are seeing +29% compared to the same period in 2024," Prete concludes, "also considering the two new facilities (Gallipoli and Matera). The turnover target remains for us to exceed 25 million in the current year and our entire staff is ready to take up this challenge'.