Ferragosto on Lake Garda Sees Strong Footfall, Shoppers Turn More Cautious

Tourist numbers remain high for Ferragosto on Lake Garda, but spending is more cautious in shops, bars and restaurants, according to a survey of businesses affiliated with Confesercenti Lombardia Orientale. Occupancy on the lake is expected to exceed 73% over the next two weeks, with room rates rising, while historic town centres see fewer daytime visitors and lower consumption during the hottest hours.

Across the province, occupancy is around 65%, with potential further gains from last-minute bookings. On the Garda, hotels are broadly in line with previous years, while bed and breakfasts show a slight decline; overnight prices range from €74 to €1,300 depending on the property and period. The report also highlights that German and Italian visitors account for about 40% and just under 30% of stays respectively, but the current phase is marked by weaker purchasing power.

The heat wave is shifting activity to evening hours, reducing commercial stops during the day and increasing costs for air conditioning and food preservation. Several operators report daytime sales drops of 20% to 25%. Confesercenti leaders link the trend to climate as an economic variable affecting competitiveness, while noting that transport and accommodation take a larger share of the budget; meanwhile, the association says new visitor flows from the UK, the US and Brazil are helping offset slower European markets, with Italy-wide forecasts pointing to 4.6% more stays and 4.2% higher prices.
Italian Version