The Sardinia Region was the protagonist in New York with a mission led by the Councillor for Tourism, Crafts and Trade Franco Cuccureddu, who brought together institutional representatives, airport system and major associations of the tourist industry in a series of meetings and appointments.
An articulated path between relations with authorities, comparison with operators and targeted promotion moments, which marks the start of a structured strategy on the US market. The campaign continues with a continuous presence: from Sunday exits in the New York Times, with content dedicated to the story of the destination, to the iconic led walls of Times Square, where images and videos are reaching an international audience.
The last session was held in the prestigious headquarters of the New York Times, with media, buyers and stakeholders. To welcome the delegation, John Oros, head of the Auto sector, consumer goods, travel and property of the daily historian, who shared the personal memory of his trips on the island.
To draw the sums of the intense American transfer, the Councillor Cuccureddu. “It has been three fruitful days, meetings,contributes,conferencesandmoserrate,which have given us the possibility of identifying Sardinia in the US market,” he said. “It was also the start of a well-structured and multi-level promotional campaign.” The Councillor then underlined how the new direct flight New York-Olbia, operated by Delta Airlines, has constituted “the opportunity to present to a market in strong growth like that USA also unpublished tourist products; think about the hiking network, the villages, the blue zones, the great events, starting from the first preliminary race of the 38th America’s Cup”.
Great satisfaction, therefore, for a mission that has aroused a significant interest on the part of the entire American tourist industry. “The synergy between the regional institution, the chamber system, associations of the tourist enterprises and airports, is a fundamental value to increase the perception of an efficient Sardinian tourist system, cohesive and able to place new ambitions regarding those obtained in terms of growth of presences, international awards and new intercontinental connectivity,” remarked Cuccureddu, while maintaining high attention to the international context and the possible repercussions of the increase of the fuel.
The Italian diplomatic institutions in New York were represented by the Vice-Console General Laura Pirino, of nuoresis origins, who expressed satisfaction for the new direct flight. “This is a strategic link that further strengthens relations between Italy and the United States and which, for the first time, directly unites Sardinia to the American market,” he said. “This route is an extraordinary opportunity to value iconic destinations, not only the Costa Smeralda – an international symbol of high-end tourism and Italian excellence – but also small villages, rich in artisan traditions and much more”.
Pietro Esposito, Secretary General of the Northern Chamber of Commerce of Sardinia, gave voice to the Sardinian business and social community: “The meetings of these days in New York are helping us to better understand how to organize hospitality services and offer an authentic experience of our traditions and beauties of the territory. The Chambers of Commerce of Sardinia, together with the airport system and entrepreneurial fabric, support the Region in this effort to promote and present the destination”.
On the agenda also the contribution of Caterina Orlando, responsible for the markets of the United States and Mexico of ENIT, the Italian National Tourist Board whose collaboration remains fundamental for the development of the project; Paolo Manca, president of Federalberghi Sardinia; Gian Mario Pileri, president of FIAVET; Maurizio Battelli, president of the extra-liberghiero section of Sardinia; Laura Zazzara, president of the Association B&B Cagliari and Sardinia; David Crognaletti, for the airport of Cagliari, and Mario Garau, for the airport system of Alghero and Olbia.
Also present Brekke Fletcher, head of the content of the famous Lonely Planet, considered the “travel mile”. Fletcher expressed great enthusiasm for the inauguration of the direct flight, underlining how the choice to focus on Sardinia in 2026 is confirmed in the signs of the market. Not by chance, the island was included by Lonely Planet among the 25 best destinations to visit in the world (the only European destination). A significant recognition for a guide that, at least once, was in the backpack of each traveler.
Over the course of the day, Liz Barrera, Sales Manager of DeltaAirLines, stressed the role of the company as the first US carrier for connections between the United States and Italy. Barrera announced that, from 29 May, the new route will be operational with four weekly frequencies, further strengthening links between the two countries. Paola Saraceni, regional commercial director of Delta Vacations, instead, offered a glimpse of the new trends of tourist demand: “Customers look for increasingly personalised and unique experiences. The luxury holiday segment has been growing for several years. At the same time, it increases interest in destinations that offer more options related to nature and healthy lifestyle and we believe that Sardinia fully meets all these needs of U.S. travelers.”.
Special guest of the final event, Alessandro Nivola, actor and nephew of the famous Sardinian sculptor Costantino Nivola. “As a child, I felt a strong connection with Sardinia, almost unconscious. When I first got there, as a teenager, I had the confirmation that there was something indescribable, yet deeply familiar to me, in the place, in people and in their way of life”, the artist told, after the success of the miniseries Love Story streaming on Hulu. “From that first journey, Sardinia has become an essential part of my life and will continue to be forever. I believe it preserves some of the world’s oldest civilizations. And, for its position in the Mediterranean, it has received over time multiple influences that have created a culture that is really different from any other. I hope more and more people can discover it and learn to appreciate it,” he continued.
Reviving the figure of the grandfather, one of the most influential Sardinian artists of the twentieth century, he stressed that the island has always been a constant presence in his vision and work. A cultural heritage and
affective living in New York, where many works by the sculptor are preserved.
On the edge of the meeting, Nivola then reached Times Square together with the Councillor Franco Cuccureddu, to admire the maxi ledwalls on which images of great impact flow, able to amplify the identity of Sardinia in front of a global audience
L’articolo Sardegna–USA 2026: New York under the sign of the island comes from IlNewyorkese.
