Garda Tourism Holds Steady as Visitors Spend More Cautiously

Tourism on Lake Garda remains strong in the Brescia area, but spending is expected to be more cautious in 2026 as visitors cut back on extras. Andrea Maggioni, president of Assoturismo Confesercenti Lombardia, said accommodation performance is close to 2025 levels, while restaurants, bars and shops report a significant downturn. From late March to June 25, average occupancy reached 75.1%, and bookings for the second half of the season are up 13% made earlier than usual.

In 2025, the Garda recorded more than 2.3 million arrivals and nearly 9.1 million overnight stays, accounting for over 72% of provincial tourist traffic. German and Italian visitors make up 40% and 30% respectively, but reduced purchasing power is weighing on dining and on services such as boat rentals, also affected by higher fuel costs. Flows are rising from the UK, Brazil, the United States and Poland, while arrivals from Arab countries have fallen due to connectivity issues.
Italian Version