Lakeside Tourism Outlook Amidst Global Uncertainty and Quality Challenges
Lakeside tourism could benefit significantly from the delicate and unstable international situation, which is already causing disastrous effects: a 40% decline in bookings at travel agencies and hotel occupancy in Brescia alone down by 30% in the past month. These figures were echoed yesterday morning at the inauguration of the fifth edition of the Borsa dei Laghi d’Italia, held at Villa Tassinara in Rivoltella. Aside from Lake Garda, which boasts a highly established market, Italian lakes can therefore play a positive role by promoting quality tourism, characterized by low emotional impact and simple organization.
The increasingly widespread reluctance of tourists (especially those from overseas) to travel long distances, combined with the difficulties faced by airlines in such a complex scenario to ensure scheduled flights to their destinations, are undoubtedly good reasons to believe that the future of the lakes’ tourism industry could turn out to be optimistic.
Prices and Quality
However, one consideration needs to be addressed: how do we deal with certain prices that are simply impossible, often charged by some venues and hotels in exchange for services and product quality that are not always up to standard? This is a necessary reflection, especially since the arrival of new tourist flows could act as an additional boost to the Garda basin. In any case, lakeside tourism remains profitable.
Garda leads the “hit parade,” and this is no surprise. In Italy, this segment generates 5 trillion euros in revenue, making it one of the most significant sectors in our country’s holiday movement. ENIT (Italian National Agency for Tourism), not by chance, has identified it as one of its strategic areas, investing in the Borsa dei Laghi di Desenzano as a primary platform for promotion in the sector.
According to ISTAT, about 3% of Italians who travel within the country’s borders every year choose lakes as their destination. Internal waters rank third in the list of preferred spots, just after art cities and the sea, ahead of mountain areas and tied with provincial capitals. Overall, approximately 4 million tourists every year opt for lakes as their vacation destination.
As mentioned, considerable expectations are set for the coming year, both due to the reasons already described and because neighboring cities around the lakes (Brescia, Verona, and Mantua) are increasing their attractiveness through major cultural exhibitions with international significance. Not to mention the vast array of sports facilities and wellness centers.
Yesterday in Desenzano, during the only day of trading (today and tomorrow will be dedicated to educational sessions), 120 Italian operators were present, joined by 30 from abroad. Among those attending the inauguration were Max Bontempi, Vice President of Pro-Brixia (the organizing body), Ermes Buffoli, Provincial Assessor, Maurizio Banzola, President of Apt, as well as representatives from Confesercenti, Piergiorgio Piccioli, and Ascom, Ferruccio Rossi Thielen, along with the Desenzano assessor Emanuele Giustacchini.
