Tourist Offices at Lake Garda Face Closure Challenges During Offseason
Tourist services are sporadic. They are open on alternate days; in fact, the information offices of the Riviera degli Olivi Tourism Promotion Agency are open every other day. In Bardolino last week, the „jat“ – as the tourist office is colloquially called, due to the „j“ signal – was only open for two days, while the phones at the Lazise office remain silent from time to time. In Peschiera, the „closed“ sign was removed only a few days ago, but it is said that it will return as soon as possible. The situation at the Garda office located on via Don Gnocchi has not improved significantly either.
Situation of the tourist offices
For the moment, at least, the „jat“ in Malcesine is still operational, which remains closed only on Sundays and during Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. This occurs at a delicate time for tourist bookings and during the international agriculture fair taking place in Verona. Private sector operators have voiced their complaints, highlighting the illegality of the promotion agency’s behavior, which spends millions of euros to be present at international trade fairs but fails to keep peripheral offices open.
“This is certainly not a good first impression of our economy,” says a Bardolino hotelier, with some bitterness. “At least, on days when the „jat“ is closed, there should be a voicemail system to handle calls.” Heavy criticisms also come from some Garda operators, who still feel the sting of having the tourist office moved from the former lakeside promenade to the bus station in the town center.
“From a prestigious location, in a site just steps from the lake and immersed in the greenery of the public park,” they argue, “to a dilapidated building that diminishes the tourist spirit and presents itself as the most disreputable information office at Lake Garda. And now, as the cherry on top, an alternating current service.” Based on what has been gathered, this situation is unlikely to improve—in fact, it will probably worsen—due to the lack of funds allocated by the Regione to operate the peripheral structures of the tourism organization.
Currently, the Riviera degli Olivi Promotion Agency employs twelve permanent staff members, including the director. Seven of these are dedicated to operating the entire structure, which has administrative and managerial autonomy. Only four people are tasked with keeping open the offices in Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda, and Malcesine, along with seasonal staff in Torri, Brenzone, and San Zeno. This setup is feasible during the tourist season, with the contribution of seasonal employees, but it becomes practically impossible to manage during the winter months, as the four operators also need time off for holidays.
Therefore, to keep things running and avoid extended closures, some jat offices are now managed through a rotational schedule of closing days. However, this workaround is not entirely welcomed by hoteliers, sector operators, or public administrations. Particularly, some municipalities—desiring a year-round active information office in their territory—have taken on the burden of granting free concessions of local premises to the Tourism Promotion Agency.
Future prospects
It is nonetheless essential, moving forward, for public administrations—especially those of municipalities with more tourism-driven economies—to dedicate more resources and effort toward providing information, welcoming, and assisting tourists.
