Malcesine-Monte Baldo Cable Car Revenue Boost and Passenger Trends

On the rise. In the first nine months of 2000, the Malcesine-Monte Baldo cable car recorded a significant increase in passengers compared to the same period last year. Data that heavily suggest, especially considering the positive projections for October, that the 180,000 mark will be surpassed. It may be more difficult but perhaps not impossible to match 1998, which closed with 182,212 passengers. Everything will depend on these final days of October and the second half of December, when the system will reopen after its usual closure (from October 30th to December 15th) for routine maintenance. Whatever the outcome, a positive trend is expected to establish itself in the… podium, behind the unattainable 1997, which ended with over 192,000 visitors, the best year of the last decade. However, this does not apply to mountain bikes transported to the 1,780 meters of Tredes Pin, which peaked in 1995 with 10,338 units. Returning to 2000 and analyzing the data month by month, the busiest period is always, for obvious reasons, summer, with July and August leading the way. Increases of around 2,000 units (over 1,963 in July and over 1,710 in August) compared to the previous year, for a total of 70,434 passengers transported, averaging just under 1,200 per day. June and September remain the months with the highest growth compared to the previous year: June saw an increase of 3,202 people, followed closely by September (over 2,461) and April (over 2,429). But, as always, not everything that glitters is gold. While the overall comparison remains broadly positive, there are negative signs when comparing with the immediate past, particularly in February and March. A sharp decline occurred in February (-2,293), while March was more contained (-814). In the latter case, it should be noted that the lift system was closed for maintenance from March 12th to 30th. The reasons for these partial declines are mainly attributable to the scarce snow at higher altitudes and, secondly, to the malfunctioning of the La Colma ski lift. This system, of strategic importance for the Monte Baldo ski circuit, will be operational at the start of the upcoming winter season, whereas the Panorama lift will not be functioning as it needs to be completely renovated. The Administrative Council of the Malcesine Monte Baldo cable car company, led by Giuseppe Venturini, has meanwhile decided to keep the ticket prices unchanged for the 2000-2001 season. On holidays, tickets will cost 30,000 lire (22,000 for weekdays) and will include access to all the rides in the circuit and a round-trip ticket for the cable car. There are also special prices for group passes with a stay requirement in Malcesine. For a full week of off-season travel (excluding Christmas), the skipass is set at 60,000 lire, and 100,000 lire during the peak season. For those who only wish to use the cable car, which connects the lakeside center to the top of Baldo, the round-trip ticket costs 20,000 lire on holidays and 14,000 lire on weekdays.