Italian agents optimistic as association IALCA holds 3rd Salone delle Lingue
The Salone delle Lingue took place over three days in Rome at the end of October. The first day consisted of presentations and scheduled business meetings between IALCA member agencies and participating schools, utilising the StudyTravel Meeting Manager platform.
This was followed by two open days to the public, with an emphasis on school groups on the first day, and students and parents on the second day, and visitors could talk with providers and attend seminars, information sessions and demonstration lessons provided by teachers of Instituto Cervantes and Celtic English Academy.
The Salone delle Lingue fair – which was officially opened by Anthony Simpson, Ambassador of New Zealand in Italy along with Pina Foti, President of IALCA – operates with the system that each school will be paired with an Ialca agent so that they can advise potential clients together.
Outlook for Italy: Paolo Barilari, Vice President of Ialca, told StudyTravel Magazine that there were around 30 schools at the event, as well as sponsors and service providers, and that the Salone delle Lingue attracted around 1,500 public visitors.
He advised StudyTravel Magazine that there is optimism for the year ahead from a country that is traditional the largest source market for most of the major language destinations in Europe.
“The feeling is that everything will start again full speed. Teachers are very interested and students are very keen to travel. There was a lot of enthusiasm from schools and agents. It seems like 2023 will be a very good season,” said Paolo.
Market trends: Paolo added that long-term, outcome-focused programmes are currently in demand.
“We have seen requests for longer stays. As always happens in a crisis, parents want to invest to get something important.”
Although most of the providers at the Salone dell Lingue were either English or Spanish language schools, Paolo said that requests for other languages, including French and German are also increasing. “English is a must, but another language is also important.”
Another trend is that there are a lot more boarding and independent schools looking at opportunities in the Italian market, with six in attendance at this year’s Salone delle Lingue, compared with only one at the previous event.
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Source: StudyTravel