Easter Tourism Boosts Garda Area as Cycling Gains Popularity
Just looking around was enough to realize: Easter, a traditional start of the season, brought thousands of tourists to Riva, Arco, and the surrounding areas. According to Enio Meneghelli, president of ’Apt Alto Garda e Ledro, during the three days of the holiday, everywhere was fully booked. On the other hand, Enzo Bassetti noted that there were still some available beds here and there. However, the comments from the president of the Union of Commerce and Tourism reveal a great sense of satisfaction. Hopefully, it will always be like this…
“I’m not surprised; I’d be surprised if otherwise,” Bassetti adds, remembering that even last year and in previous years, whether high or low, as they say, Easter has never left anyone empty-handed. Of course, this is only for the three days of the holiday, after which the situation returns to normalcy or almost. Until the next event or the next long weekend. Which means there won’t be a full house again until the Bike Festival, scheduled from April 28 to May 1.
Events, sports, and tourism
The sporting event that attracts thousands of mountain biking enthusiasts—both Italian and international—to “Busa” offers the Union president a chance to offer a sort of praise for two wheels: “It’s the bicycle that makes the difference.” Long live sports tourism, then, and especially the cyclists who in recent years have decidedly replaced surfers in the records of hotels and campsites.
There are still many sailing enthusiasts, undoubtedly. However, probably not as many as ten years ago. Few are upset about this: it’s a selective sport, generally practiced by young, well-trained, healthy people. For cycling, on the other hand, it’s not necessary to be young or an athlete, and a holiday characterized by long, healthy rides can be ideal for individuals, couples, but also for entire families.
This is the reason for the praise of two wheels. Before concluding, it should be noted that Easter 2001 saw Germans return to Garda, after having thinned out in recent years. Apparently, they rediscovered their old passion: according to Bassetti’s estimates, they accounted for at least 50 percent of visitors. The other 50 percent was evenly split between Italians and foreigners of various nationalities.
