How we were

Since 1950, Uvet has been a point of reference in Italy for providing innovative services and solutions for business travel, corporate mobility, tourism and corporate events. Francesco Patanè, Uvet Viaggi Turismo’s founder, opened his first travel agency in Milan’s Varesine area, where the Garibaldi Station now stands. From the very beginning, Patanè decided to focus his travel services on companies: a bold, successful choice. During the 1960s, growth is exceptional. The company moves closer to the Central Station and first floor offices are installed above the agency’s shop windows. There are more than thirty employees. In 1972, the Cinisello Balsamo branch opens, followed by another in Cologno Monzese in 1975 and in 1986 yet another branch opens in Agrate Brianza. In 1988, the offices are moved to the new headquarters in via Vittor Pisani. Francesco Patanè dies and his son, Luca, the current President of the Uvet Group, takes over. In 1991, Uvet becomes part of the Carlson Travel Network and in 1995 forms First Business Travel International, one of the largest independent networks in business travel. In the mid-1990s, Uvet creates a network of travel agencies specialising in business travel and establishes Travel Net Solutions, an innovative ICT company. In 1998, branches in Turin and Rome open. The 2000s are essential to the Group’s expansion: in 2002, Uvet American Express is founded and in 2003 the first BizTravel Forum is held, the event becomes a point of reference for the entire Business Travel Community. In the following years, Uvet acquires ITN Travel Company and creates a network that currently includes 500 travel agencies. From 2008 until today, there is a continued strategy of acquisitions in the mobility and events sectors that will see the Group grow to more than 1.000 employees.

Uvet’s history from the 1950s

1950s and 60s

During the years of the Italian economic boom, Uvet begins its exceptional growth. The company moves to Via Ferdinando di Savoia, closer to the Central Station and first floor offices are installed above the agency’s shop windows. There are more than thirty employees.

1960s

The growth is exceptional. The company moves closer to the Central Station and first floor offices are installed above the agency’s shop windows. There are more than thirty employees.

1970s-80s

In 1972, the Cinisello Balsamo branch opens

In 1975, another branch opens in Cologno Monzese

In 1986, yet another branch opens, this time in Agrate Brianza.

In 1988, the offices are moved to the new headquarters in via Vittor Pisani. Francesco Patanè dies and his son, Luca, Uvet’s current President immediately succeeds him to guide the company.

1990s

In 1991, Uvet becomes part of the Carlson Travel Network.

In 1995, First Business Travel International is established, one of the largest independent networks in business travel.

In the mid-1990s, Uvet creates a network of travel agencies specialising in business travel and establishes Travel Net Solutions, an innovative ICT company.

In 1998, branches in Turin and Rome open.

2000s

2002

In 2002, Uvet American Express is launched, destined to become a point of reference for Travel Management in Italy.

2003

In 2003, the first BizTravel Forum is held, the event becomes a point of reference for the entire Business Travel community. In the same year, the Swiss company 2000 Viaggi is acquired, today known as Uvet Swiss.

2004

Since 2004, Uvet has had offices in Romania.

2008

In 2008, Uvet acquires Avexia – the leading player in France for business travel – and ITN Travel Company to create a network that currently includes 500 travel agencies.

2011

Traxall was born, which today is a virtual services company for business processes through IT system, of which becomes the majority shareholder.

2012

Uvet acquires TKT, a leading italian company in corporate fleet management, and Pomodoro Viaggi, a network of travel agencies in Bologna and Emilia -Romagna.

2013

It is the year of the transfer to the current headquarters at the Bastioni di Porta Volta in Milan and of the opening of a new office in Rome. Uvet finalizes the acquisition of Jakala Events, the Italian leader in events and Flygpoolen, one of the leading online travel agencies in Sweden.

2014

Uvet develops the Tripitaly project, the first “open” portal for the incoming of foreign tourism in Italy. Also in this year it acquires Last Minute Tour, specialized in the marketing of tourist packages, flights and stays. Less than a year after its acquisition, Jakala Events strengthens its positioning in the market and traces a new path by changing its naming and its distinctive logo. This is how Uvet Events was born.

2015

Uvet participates in Expo 2015 organizing the activities of 11 pavilions and attending the American pavilion of which the group was “Official Destination and Events Partner” and sponsor

2016

FlyUvet, the new OTA of the Uvet Group specializing in the sale of airline tickets, goes online and the Airfinder brand arrives in Italy, the innovative OTA that will become part of Uvet Nordic, a leading company in the sale of airline tickets in the Northern European market. The Mursia Cossyra & Spa on Pantelleria is inaugurated and will pass under the management of Uvet Hotel Company. The Uvet Group signs an important Italian-Chinese joint venture creating Made in Uvet, to manage the incoming of travelers from China to Italy, and also the joint venture with OTN Network, the network made up of over 300 travel agencies, present on the Italian territory, which will join Uvet Travel Network – ClubViaggi. Furthermore, in 2016 the President Luca Patanè received from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, the appointment of Cavaliere del Lavoro, the only one among the tourism entrepreneurs.

2017

Uvet acquires the tour operator Settemari and the Hotel Berna in Milan, a business hotel that will join the Uvet Hotel Company brand together with the other resorts. Furthermore, from the union of TKT and Tripitaly Drive, Ufleet was born, a new mobility and fleet management services company

2018

The agreement is signed which provides for the entry of the Gangehi Resort & Spa, in the Maldives, into the Uvet Hotel Company. Uvet acquires Condor, the historic tour operator of Rimini, now known as Jump.

2019

Sardatur Holidays Limited is acquired, a tour operator based in the United Kingdom, specialized for over thirty years in the sale of luxury and tailor-made holidays with destinations in Italy and Sardinia. Staff Italia, one of the main companies in the MICE sector, also joins Uvet and integrates with Uevents.

2020

The most challenging period for Uvet begins with the pandemic. Numerous changes in the structure of the Group and the actions taken to ensure continuity of services. At the beginning of the year, Econometrica and the Centro Studi Promotor join Uvet.

2021

Uvet Events was born, from the merger of Uevents and Econmetrica. The merger made it possible to strengthen and make the Group’s events part even more efficient. The Falconara Resort & Spa in Marina di Butera, the Baia dei Mulini Resort & Spa in Erice and the Infinity Resort in Tropea join the nine hotels and resorts already managed by the Uvet group, under the Uvet Hotel Company

Luca Patanè
President, Uvet Group
Chairman, Confturismo – Confcommercio

Born in Milan on 25 August 1961.

Studied Political Science and Economics, started work in the tourism industry at Uvet Viaggi Turismo in 1989. After the death of his father (who founded the travel agency), Luca Patanè took command of the company as Sales Director then, in 1995, as Managing Director and subsequently President.

Under his guidance, Uvet has become one of the leaders in the corporate travel sector. In 1996, he brought together, in a distribution network, the largest independent Italian travel agencies specialising in business travel. Today, the network contains 500 travel agencies under the Uvet retail, Uvet Travel System, Open Travel Network and Last Minute Tour brand.

In 2001, Uvet and American Express created the joint venture, Uvet American Express Corporate Travel SpA, with Luca Patanè as President.

In 2011, he promoted the Fondazione Atlante together with Amadeus, with the aim of putting their wealth of experience at the service of social solidarity and culture. He became President in 2013.

He has been the Foundation’s Chairman since 2013. In 2012, he became Chairman of Federviaggio, the Italian Federation of Organised Tourism, part of Confcommercio. Since June 2013, he has been the Chairman at Confturismo – Confcommercio, the entrepreneurial organisation which best represents the Italian tourism industry.

Luca Patanè is also a member of the Standing Committee for the promotion of tourism in Italy, established by Decree of the Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism of 8 August 2014.

In 2016 he was named Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on the proposal of the Minister of Economic Development Carlo Calenda.

In 2017 it became owner of Settemari, one of the most important Italian tour operators.

Uvet is the most important centre for Italian tourism and is also present in France, Switzerland, Romania, Latvia, USA, UK, Ireland, Denmark and in the Scandinavian countries following a recent acquisition of an important Swedish OTA. The Group employs more than 1.000 people and it is active in travel and in fleet management, events, Online Travel Agencies, travel agency networks, incoming and hotel management.

For 70 years, Uvet has been an Italian leader in the world of travel