Garda crisis: German holidaymakers fail-hotels remain empty!

Garda crisis: German holidaymakers fail-hotels remain empty!

This summer, the picturesque banks of Lake Garda in Italy are not only characterized by nature, but also by a noticeable lack of guests. Hotel owners and restaurateurs complain about empty rooms and tables, while in recent years of Lake Garda was one of the most popular travel destinations. Current reports from Focus show that there are especially German tourists. The reasons are multi -layered: the global political situation, high inflation and the associated crises press the mood and wallet of travelers.

A "bitter summer" awaits the region; This is how the "Corriere del Veneto" titles. Despite a general recovery of the industry in August, many hotels remain empty. Over 3000 rooms for two people are available in August, but the bookings fail to materialize. The decline is alarming: Hoteliers report a drastic loss of sales of up to 20 percent and a noticeable decline in the number of guests, even with loyal regular customers. While in recent years Germany, with almost 14 million tourist arrivals in the previous year, has been one of the largest source markets, this decline is perceived all the more painfully.

changes in tourism behavior

An interesting trend shows itself among the remaining guests: More and more vacationers from Scandinavia are visiting the region, but they are often not used to the Italian lifestyle. This means that you spend less money on eating and drinking, which has a negative impact on local catering businesses. Contrary to expectations that the summer vacation would bring a stable number of visitors, fewer and fewer travelers have found their way to Lake Garda. The flow of traffic is also impaired by construction work, which significantly extend the arrival time for vacationers from Germany.

The price increases in the restaurants are also a central point: families now pay double for a pizza, which many leads to avoiding their stay. Even the nighttime life in the region does not remain unaffected - after 10:30 p.m. a slightly cool wind often blows across the streets, which then empty dramatically.

loss of attractiveness?

The future of GardaseSourism is on the brink. The question arises whether other travel regions in Italy are also affected by these developments? Italy's tourism contributes 10.2 percent to the gross domestic product and employs over 1.5 million people in the industry. After a record of 140 million tourist arrivals in 2024, there is a chance that the situation will change. However, the current development raises doubts as to whether prices are falling to regain the German vacationers or whether new trends will change the market permanently.

Overall, the land of the huge coasts, delicious dishes and lively cities remains an attractive goal - but how long will Lake Garda be very popular in the hearts of German vacationers? That remains to be seen. The current situation requires hoteliers and restaurateurs to be able to survive in the new reality. A challenge for the entire region that goes through a profound change.