Published on
October 22, 2025
The United States, United Kingdom, and Israel, along with several other nations, are contributing to a significant surge in airline bookings as nearly 450 players gather for the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Gallipoli, Italy. This prestigious event, taking place from October 21 to November 2, 2025, has not only drawn international attention but has also become a catalyst for increased tourism and hospitality demand in Italy’s scenic Puglia region. The tournament, hosted at the luxurious Grand Hotel Costa Brada, offers more than just a chess competition—it provides an opportunity for travelers to experience the rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, and world-class cuisine of Gallipoli. As participants and spectators from across the globe converge on this charming coastal town, the local airline, tourism, and hospitality sectors are witnessing a boost, making this an exciting time to explore one of Italy’s most hidden gems.
Increase in Bookings from the US, UK and Israel with Nearly 450 Attending 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Gallipoli, Italy
The 33rd FIDE World Senior Championships is taking place in Gallipoli, Italy, from the 21 October to 2 November 2025, in the Puglia region of Southern Italy. The 450 competing players from the world will bring additional tourism to the region. For Chess enthusiasts, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a large scale international event, and for the rest, the combination of travel and the opportunity to engage in Gallipoli is a great incentive.
Airline Bookings to Gallipoli, Italy
With is no wonder that, the US, UK, and Israel leading the participants for the tournament, respective airline bookings have increased. The increase in airline bookings is a result of players and spectators travelling to the event. Other airlines, in addition to Alitalia, Ryanair, and Lufthansa, will increase the number of flights to Italy for this event. Ryanair and Lufthansa to serve the additional players travelling to spectators for the event.
For travelers coming from the United States, both American Airlines and Delta Airlines have started to sell direct and connecting flights to Italy. American Airlines has direct flights to Rome from New York (JFK), and from there, passengers can connect to Brindisi. Delta also has direct flights to Rome and offers connecting services to Brindisi, which also facilitates travel to Gallipoli.
Increased Airline Traffic from the United Kingdom and Israel
For UK-based chess lovers, British Airways offers daily direct flights to Rome, Milan, and other Italian cities. From there, travelers can take connecting flights to Brindisi. Ryanair, known for its budget-friendly routes, has also increased its frequency of flights from the UK to southern Italy, ensuring a smooth and affordable travel experience for both participants and tourists.
Israel has a strong presence in the chess community, and the 2025 World Senior Chess Championship has not gone unnoticed. El Al, Israel’s flagship carrier, offers direct flights to Rome, and with its connections to Brindisi, Israeli travelers can make their way to Gallipoli for the championship.
With these increased flights, travelers are expected to enjoy more frequent and convenient flight options to Gallipoli’s nearest airport, further boosting Italy’s tourism industry.
A Historic Moment: 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships
The 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships is not just another chess tournament. It is a global event for Senior chess players (aged 50 years and above) and has over 450 participants. The tournament has four categories: Open 50+, Women 50+, Open 65+, and Women 65+. Among the participants are some top rated Senior chess grandmasters like Kiril Georgiev from Bulgaria (2526) and Murtas Kazhgaleyev from Kazakhstan (2518) competing in the 50+ Open section.
The hotel is located in the Baia Verde region, known for its beautiful landscapes and Gallipoli. The hotel and event location offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and has been gracious in hosting all the event participants. This event has designed a considerable increase in travel and attuned a global audience to board flights to Italy to either witness the tournament or play in it.
Advantages to the Hospitality Sector
Italy is a country of culture, history, and food, and is one of the world’s most frequented travel destinations. The 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships is aiding Gallipoli, a lovely coastal town in Puglia, to gain recognition. This competition has generated great hospitality industry demand.
During the tournament, local hotels, like the Grand Hotel Costa Brada, which is also one of the tournament hotels, noted all their accommodations for players and their families. With their large rooms, dining options, and extensive luxurious hotel facilities, they create a perfect atmosphere for players to relax and prepare for the competition. The other hotel which is also in the hospitality and tournament program is Ecoresort Le Sirenè, which provides an eco-friendly atmosphere and direct access to the beaches of Gallipoli.
Bolstered by the increased tournament clientele, local retailers like restaurants and cafés are also prospering. This tournament is a gateway for many to experience the region’s famous food culture, which includes freshly prepared seafood, orecchiette pasta, and other Italian food. Guided tours are organized to show contest guests the historic parts of the town of Gallipoli, the Lecce Baroque, and the region’s UNESCO archaeological sites.
Travel Tips for Tourists Heading to Gallipoli
There are a few travel tips that would help you about to go to Gallipoli to attend the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships or go to Gallipoli for a visit.
- Booking Your Flight:
Several major airlines like Alitalia, Ryanair, and Lufthansa allow you to catch a flight to Gallipoli by arriving at the Brindisi Airport (BDS). If you are an American citizen, you can easily access a direct flight to Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP) through Delta Airlines and American Airlines, and then there are connecting flights to Brindisi. You can also take a picturesque bus or train ride to Gallipoli. From there, the bus or train ride to Gallipoli is quite scenic.
- Accommodation Tips:
Due to the high demand, you could consider booking accommodations as early as possible since the Grand Hotel Costa Brada and Ecoresort Le Sirenè are likely to get fully booked. For a more authentic Gallipoli Old Town experience, consider for a serene stay, beachfront properties, which are away from the bustle. You also have the option to stay in the more relaxing, beachfront properties.
- Exploring Gallipoli: This town is historic and has been around since the time of the Ancient Greeks. While in Gallipoli, one must go to the Gallipoli Castle, which has phenomenal panorama of the sea and provides insight of the area’s past in the Middle Ages. The town’s old center is also home to narrow streets, churches, and quaint shops, which are great for walking around and exploring.
- Day Trips: Day trips to the nearby towns of Lecce, which is notable for its Baroque architecture, and Otranto, which is known for its coastline and cathedral, are also a good option. These historic cities have tours and they are a great way to see the culture of southern Italy.
- Cuisine: It is a known fact that this area of Italy is known for its great food, especially for its seafood and pasta. The orecchiette pasta, which is a specialty of this region, is a must try and is usually served with turnip greens and anchovies. You can get great seafood at restaurants that are right on the beach.
- Weather Considerations: Puglia has a Mediterranean climate with warm temperatures in summer and mild in winter. Puglia is best enjoyed in late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September to October) as the climate is more pleasant and the crowds are fewer. Since the time of the championships is likely to be mild, it would be ideal weather for the indoor competitions and outdoor sightseeing.
Flight and Transportation Details
Gallipoli’s nearest airport is the Brindisi Airport (BDS) which is about 87 km away. The airport is about 1.5 hours away from Gallipoli and there area trains and buses for public transport. Train travelers can access Gallipoli from Lecce Railway Station which is about 30 km from Gallipoli and is well connected to the town.
Getting around the country is straight forward as there are fast train services operated by Trenitalia and Italo which connect the major cities of Italy including, Rome, Milan, and Lecce. From Lecce, it is a short bus ride or taxi to Gallipoli. Furthermore, the chess championships are providing shuttle services to the participants. This is providing more travel ease and comfort for participants.
Effects of the Championships on Local Businesses
Gallipoli and surrounding areas received the positive effects of the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships. There has been a substantial increase in the number of visitors that local businesses (restaurants and cafes) and shops receive. Local merchants are now able to meet the demands of a global clientele. Some retailers have appreciated the opportunity and now sell chess-themed merchandise and souvenirs.
The increase in visitors has positively impacted businesses that operate in the tourism sector, including guided tour services and transport services. There has been an increase in the provision of local services that are guided historical tours and leisure excursions to nearby towns.
The United States, United Kingdom, and Israel are driving a surge in airline bookings as nearly 450 players compete in the 33rd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Gallipoli, Italy. This prestigious event is fueling tourism and hospitality growth in the picturesque Puglia region.
A Fiitting Combination of Chess and Tourism
The 33 World Senior FIDE Chess Championships held in Gallipoli also promote tourism and help the local air travel and hospitality sectors grow. Gallipoli’s breathtaking beauty and rich history certainly justify a visit, even alongside a chess competition, to the region of Puglia. With Arranging flights and accommodation are the other bonuses. Even for tourists, the championships are a great excuse to travel to Puglia and enjoy the local rich history and delicacies. Now is the best time for travelers and the tourists to enjoy the region.
Pack and come to enjoy the unique and exciting masterpieces of chess and the enthralling beauty of Gallipoli.
