Sirmione faces the tourist chaos linked to overtourism during the May Day holiday, when a record influx of visitors paralyzed the historic center. Access, allowed exclusively through the Castle, was blocked for nearly two hours, forcing tourists and residents to endure long waits, with cars lined up and workers unable to carry out their daily activities. This situation sparked controversy among citizens, shopkeepers, and hoteliers, who criticized the local administration for lacking an adequate strategy to manage tourist flows during holiday periods.
Demands for clarification also came from the opposition, which raised questions about the Administration’s responsibilities regarding these inconveniences. The management of Hotel Villa Cortine highlighted the dissatisfaction of guests, who were frustrated by the prolonged waits. Despite the deployment of 12 police officers and other security forces in the area, local authorities acknowledged that these measures were insufficient to handle the exceptional influx of tourists on a day as critical as May Day.
