Extended Tourism Season Continues as Hotels and Campsites Remain Open

Just three or four years ago, around this time, almost all hoteliers in the Busa had closed their lobbies and were preparing to send back to the world (from the Canary Islands to the Tropics, from Kenya to China) a small portion of the income earned during the “season.” Now, that is no longer the case. This year – and we are already at the end of October – there are still hundreds of tourists (mostly Germans) or conference attendees (from all over the world) walking on the dry leaves of horse chestnuts along the most traditional local walks.

A vibrant tourist season was expected for October. But in the end, it exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. It is visibly clear that many people are still around, but nothing is more telling than the statistics of the accommodation facilities still open, which we reconstructed yesterday with the kind collaboration of the Apt (Azienda di Promozione Turistica).

Accommodation facilities and occupancy

Well: all 14 four-star hotels are still operating at a good pace (7 in Riva, 5 in Nago-Torbole, 2 in Arco); among the three-star hotels, 55 out of 81 remain open (25 in Riva, 17 in Nago-Torbole, 6 in Arco, 4 in Tenno, 3 in Dro); in the two-star category, 20 hotels are open out of 29 (4 in Riva, 12 in Nago-Torbole, 1 in Arco, Tenno, Dro, and Drena respectively); finally, among one-star accommodations, 18 hotels out of 38 are still working (8 in Riva, 2 in Nago-Torbole, 5 in Arco, 3 in Dro).

Regarding campsites, 7 out of 14 facilities are still open (3 in Riva, 3 in Arco, 1 in Dro). The numbers are simply astonishing. For two reasons.

Motivations and prospects

First: these are not representative openings (as were the rare ones a few years ago), but motivated by a positive response from customers. Second: although slowly winding down, the season promises to extend into the first half of November.

Aside from the trade fair and conference sector (which is notoriously made up of customers willing to spend: especially when expenses are not borne by the conference attendees), the tourism of these days is characterized by “offer” packages at heavily discounted prices. But there’s no reason to complain: these “packages” cover the operating expenses of the hotel facility, while the extras represent an unexpected profit.

As unexpected are the impacts on local commerce and services.