Lake Garda Tourism Boosts as Hotels Fill and Boat Tours Resume
Rehearsals for a quiet weekend of chaos were already evident yesterday afternoon at the Perla roundabout in Desenzano, with long queues at the entrance and along the 45 bis heading towards Tormini and Salò. Today, the last remnants of tourists, mostly Italians, will complete their arrival for the Easter holiday bridge. Germans, Austrians, Swiss, and French have already been in the area for a few days; the last arrivals will be Italians. Expect full occupancy until next Tuesday anyway.
General Situation and Outlook
The overall picture is outlined by the president of Albergatori bresciani, Paolo Rossi. “Things are going well, although it’s premature to make evaluations; 2000 was exceptional, but during these holiday bridges, it’s the weather that rules.
La Gardesana? It is heavily penalizing us, starting from Limone, but the entire Riviera—continues Rossi—is experiencing traffic repercussions due to the closure of the state road. Foreign tourists are “starving” for sun after winter. We hope Lake Garda immerses itself in sun and light; after all, Italians want it too.”
Feedback from Operators and Initiatives
In Sirmione, the president of hoteliers, Dino Barelli, confirms the survey results: “All hotels are fully booked, work is finished, and in these last hours, the town has regained its sparkle. There have been many arrivals of Germans, and Italian presence is good: all hotels are open.” Similarly, Raoul Negri, head of the Associazione commercianti, states: “Work was completed on schedule. Our establishments are open, we have received no complaints, so we are ready for the new season.” Numerous boats are already in the water, especially rental boats operating the traditional tour of the peninsula.
“Full occupancy confirmed through Tuesday; we will see what unfolds afterward,” says Saverio Ziliani, president of the Consorzio Albergatori di Desenzano. He also makes an appeal to Mayor Anelli: “Due to concurrent works, the lakeside promenade is reduced to a narrow strip, so it would be a wonderful Easter gift if the administration decided to close it to cars at least until Easter Monday.” This would help prevent tourists and residents from breathing car exhaust fumes.
Speaking of auto pollution, Ziliani also urges authorities and Navigarda: “Why not test a scheduled boat service every half hour, for example, connecting Desenzano, Sirmione, and Peschiera? How many drivers would leave their cars behind and choose a healthy boat trip?” In Valtenesi, operators are optimistic after statements claiming that 30% of the overall Garda tourism is absorbed by their accommodations.
At Padenghe, Fiorangela Toselli from Camping dei Tigli confirms: “Foreigners have already been here for several days, and until Easter, everything is fully booked with a good presence of Italians.” Similar good prospects in Moniga and Manerba. “We notice many foreign tourists, mainly Germans; hotels and campsites are almost fully booked,” says Isidoro Bertini, “and we have promising outlooks even after Easter.”
Indeed, in Manerba, teams of cyclists will be hosting training camps, and about fifty semi-professional German and Austrian football players have chosen the area for their training. In Salò and Gardone Riviera, hotels are fully booked, with their lakesides bustling with tourists.
The first boat excursions to the Isola del Garda and the Veneto coasts are beginning. There is also anticipation for the reopening of prestigious hotels such as “Spiaggia d’Oro,” while many establishments, like Rossi’s “Laurin,” have carried out cosmetic improvements.
However, the weather remains the wildcard. Meteorological forecasts for Sirmione indicate clouds with possible showers tonight, possibly thunderstorms. Tomorrow will be a variable day with increasingly clear skies over the course of the day. Sunday will also see variable weather with increased cloud cover in the afternoon.
