With the awards ceremony held on January 29 at the Enterprise Hotel in Milan, the first edition of the Hospitality Digital Awards came to a successful close. This is the first Italian recognition dedicated to digital innovation in the hospitality sector. Created by Teamwork Hospitality in collaboration with HotelPerformance, the award honors the most innovative accommodations in the use of digital technologies and web marketing strategies.
Eight categories saw competing hospitality establishments, including those for best web design, best social media campaign, and best use of artificial intelligence. Among the winners of this first edition were two campsites that have demonstrated excellence in leveraging digital strategies to strengthen their online presence and improve direct booking performance.
Emanuele Nardin, Managing Director of HotelPerformance, emphasized the significance of this recognition: “A highly valuable evening where digital innovation and service quality were celebrated through awards given to the most deserving hotels. A moment that highlighted how technology can enhance the guest experience without ever losing sight of the essence of hospitality. The awarded projects are clear proof of how investing in digital marketing yields excellent results in terms of visibility and revenue for the most forward-thinking hospitality establishments”.
Silvella and La Rocca, two leaders in digital marketing
Camping Europa Silvella, located in San Felice del Benaco (BS), was awarded for Best Online Reputation Management. Ten years ago, this 5-star campsite on Lake Garda had a negative online reputation due to mediocre reviews and ratings that damaged its image and did not do justice to the true value of the property and the services offered to guests.
However, through an effective multichannel strategy and the adoption of innovative digital tools, the accommodation facility managed to turn things around. In 2024, it was ranked the sixth most loved campsite in Europe and the third in Italy by PiNCAMP, and it became the most searched campsite on Camping.info. Additionally, Camping Europa Silvella earned prestigious international accolades, including the ACSI Award 2024, the Zoover Award Gold 2024, and the Traveller Review Award 2024 from Booking.com. The Hospitality Digital Award was presented by Fabrizio Quattrini, Senior Sales Manager of HeyLight – Compass Banca, and received by Andrea Giustacchini, General Manager of Camping Europa Silvella.
Meanwhile, La Rocca Camping Village, located in Bardolino (VR), won the award for Best Direct Booking Strategy. The campsite distinguished itself by significantly increasing direct bookings while minimizing reliance on OTAs. Through a strategic plan that included structural, operational, and marketing investments, La Rocca Camping Village achieved an outstanding result: 94% of its bookings are made directly, without intermediaries.
This success was made possible by various effective initiatives, such as the development of a user-friendly, high-performance website, the implementation of competitive and transparent pricing policies, and the introduction of exclusive incentives for direct bookers. Furthermore, the campsite focused heavily on personalized and direct communication, targeted campaigns on social media and search engines, and meticulous post-stay management—all key elements that have strengthened relationships with guests. The award was presented by Andrea Delfini, Founder & CEO of Blastness, and received by Orsola Rizzardi, CEO of La Rocca Camping Village, and Riccardo Giommaroni, Executive Director.
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