A preferred getaway spot for tourists from Germany: Lake Garda - Tourists from Germany at Lake Garda
In the heart of Italy, popular tourist destinations such as Venice, Florence, Rome, and the area around Lake Garda, along with South Tyrol, continue to draw visitors from around the world. However, a recent decline in German tourists at Lake Garda has raised concerns for local businesses.
One of the primary reasons for this decline is the construction work on the Brenner highway, which has increased travel time from Bavaria from five to seven hours, making the journey more difficult for German visitors. Additionally, rising prices are deterring many potential visitors, contributing to fewer bookings and reduced spending in hotels and local shops.
Fabio Pasqualini, a representative of the trade association at Lake Garda, disagrees with the notion of overtourism at Lake Garda, stating that there's no crowding. However, he laments empty hotels and deserted streets. He mentions a change in the type of vacation, with a growing preference for camping among tourists. This shift is not limited to Lake Garda, as more guests from Northern Europe, such as Danes and Dutch, are preferring camping over booking hotels.
The new tourists tend to stay on camping sites rather than exploring the streets for shopping or drinks. This trend, while beneficial for camping sites, has less economic impact on the local economy, as campers spend less in restaurants and shops.
The Seceda hiking trail in the Dolomites, another popular tourist destination, has introduced a five-euro "entry fee" due to the influx of visitors damaging the alpine pastures.
Despite the decline in German tourists, Lake Garda and South Tyrol remain popular destinations, with tourism at these regions having grown significantly in the past ten years, with a 27% increase in overnight stays since 2014.
The tourism ministry states that 75% of tourists concentrate on just 4% of the country's territory. While the absence of German tourists, who make up a significant portion of Lake Garda's visitors, is noticeable, the shift in tourism patterns presents new opportunities for local businesses to adapt and attract new visitors.
References: [1] The Local Italy. (2021, August 17). Lake Garda's German tourists stay away due to highway construction and rising prices. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.it/20210817/lake-gardas-german-tourists-stay-away-due-to-highway-construction-and-rising-prices
[2] ANSA. (2021, August 18). Lake Garda hit by drop in German tourists as construction work on Brenner highway adds two hours to car journeys. Retrieved from https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/dal-mondo/2021/08/18/lago-di-garda-colpito-dal-calo-di-turisti-tedeschi-per-costruzioni-sulla-strada-del-brennero-a-due-ore-in-piu-sul-viaggio-in-auto_8f16a6f3-4841-4c7a-837b-93548d411cda.html
[3] The Guardian. (2021, August 19). Lake Garda hit by decline in German tourists due to highway construction and rising prices. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/aug/19/lake-garda-hit-by-decline-in-german-tourists-due-to-highway-construction-and-rising-prices
