The nightlife industry on the Brescia side of Lake Garda is a fundamental pillar of the local tourism economy, generating employment for thousands of workers and complementing the hospitality offerings with high-quality experiences. Confesercenti Lombardia Orientale has entered the debate on the regulation of nightlife venues, emphasizing the strategic importance of a sector that includes clubs, beach bars, cocktail lounges, and nightclubs spread from Sirmione to Limone.
The Economic Value of Evening Entertainment
Barbara Quaresmini, president of Confesercenti Lombardia Orientale, highlights how nightlife represents “a true economic and cultural asset of the territory.” Data confirms an annual influx of millions of visitors, with a significant percentage of tourists coming from Germany, Austria, England, and the United States, all united by a demand for quality evening entertainment.
“Lake Garda needs a broad tourist offering: hotels, campsites, restaurants, bars, shops, and venues for evening entertainment,” Quaresmini emphasizes, noting that the tourism and commercial sector generates over 1 billion Euros annually in GDP.
The president warns of the risks posed by punitive administrative choices: “The outcome could be the loss of hundreds of jobs and a decrease in the attractiveness of the Brescia side of the lake, especially for a younger demographic.”
The Proposal for Intelligent Regulation
Andrea Maggioni, coordinator of Confesercenti Lago di Garda, proposes an alternative approach to restrictive policies. “We need to move beyond the logic of prohibition to adopt intelligent and flexible regulation that respects residents,” he states, emphasizing the quality of the offerings available in the area.
The historic venues along the coast offer musical entertainment, gourmet cuisine, international DJ sets, and high-end services, with some establishments recording “thousands of entries per night on weekends in July and August.”
The Legacy of the ’90s and Youth Employment
Maggioni recalls the historical prestige of Desenzano as a capital of entertainment: “In the ’90s, Desenzano del Garda and Rimini were the two main tourist destinations in Italy, symbols of nightlife.” Two complementary realities that represented “Desenzano, chic and lakeside, a reference point for the more refined Northern Italy; Rimini, more popular and chaotic.”
The sector provides summer employment for thousands of direct workers, including waitstaff, bartenders, security personnel, audio-light technicians, artists, and DJs, predominantly young people aged between 20 and 30. The indirect effects involve additional collaborators in shuttle services, setups, promotions, and hospitality, with positive repercussions on catering, accommodation, and transportation.
The Need to Diversify Tourist Targets
“Nightlife is not just leisure; it is a symbol of our lifestyle and an economic engine,” concludes Maggioni, proposing “a different narrative: modern, professional, and sustainable.” The coordinator warns against the risks of a one-dimensional tourism strategy: “We cannot think, build, and cater to a tourist destination for only one high-end demographic; otherwise, the Garda destination will face problems.”
The proposal from Confesercenti emphasizes collaboration among municipal administrations, law enforcement, and operators, with the direct involvement of entrepreneurs in defining the rules, shared investments in infrastructure, and monitoring the impacts on the community.
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