Desenzano Tourism Boosts Excursions and Airport Links with Regione Support
The initiative by the Consorzio Albergatori di Desenzano is gaining significant success, led by Saverio Ziliani, which includes 35 tourist accommodation facilities (hotels, residences, campsites).
With the project «Vivi il Garda 2001» (Experience Lake Garda 2001), Desenzano’s tourism operators have launched a series of guided and free excursions for tourists staying at the facilities affiliated with the Consortium, aimed at discovering lesser-known or hard-to-reach places for those who stay in Desenzano and do not have transportation.
As Ziliani explains, the excursions, which began a month ago, will continue until the end of September, twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Details of the excursions
On Tuesdays, the itinerary involves departure by bus at 2:00 PM from Desenzano to Lonato, with visits to the Rocca and the Casa del Podestà (Ugo Da Como Foundation); then to Calvagese for a visit to the Radaelli De Zinis wineries, with wine tastings and sampling of local products. Return is scheduled around 6:30 PM.
On Fridays, departure by bus again at 2:00 PM from Desenzano towards Brescia, with visits to the Museo di Santa Giulia and the historic center.
All participants receive a city map, an informational brochure about the monuments, and a small guide to the museum.
Return is expected around 7:00 PM. «These two weekly appointments», – reaffirms Ziliani – «are an encouraging start, given the high participation and the interest they have aroused among tourists; in the future, we do not exclude undertaking similar excursions in other locations».
Support and development of the project
The «Vivi il Garda 2001» project was implemented with the contribution of the Consorzio Albergatori and thanks to substantial funding provided by the Regione.
Thanks to these resources, the Consortium was also able to establish the new information desk at the Ufficio informazioni turistiche; the website www.hotelspromotion.com; the promotional material «Desenzano dimensione vacanza» (Desenzano vacation dimension); and the hotel guide.
Furthermore, the Consortium can participate in international tourism fairs with its own representative – upcoming events include: Cologne, Paris, London – and can appear in specialized magazines with extensive proposals for stay packages related to culture, wine and food, and sports.
Future projects and connections with the airport
Another important initiative close to the Consorzio Albergatori‘s heart – proposed and repeatedly urged through the Provincia and the Camera di Commercio di Brescia (Chamber of Commerce of Brescia) – is the activation of a bus service connecting the Montichiari airport to Desenzano, aimed at supporting the English clients who utilize two daily flights.
This connection is deemed necessary as Desenzano serves as the gateway to the Lake Garda area. Last year, for two months during the summer, the Consorzio Albergatori di Desenzano operated this important service at its own expense, «but the management costs proved unsustainable for a private entity».
For this reason, the Consortium seeks to raise awareness among all entities and hopes that, in the interest of Lake Garda’s tourism economy and its inland areas, this project will be practically implemented.
