Lake Garda: Empty hotels and fewer German tourists in 2024
Rising prices, crowded streets, and the feeling of no longer being welcome – many FOCUS online readers explain why Lake Garda is no longer a vacation destination for them. In the comments on the article "Far fewer Germans, hotels on Lake Garda empty: A bitter summer," they primarily criticize overcrowded resorts, poor infrastructure, and a palpable anti-tourism sentiment. Some also cite economic or climatic reasons.
A majority of readers see the prices for accommodation, restaurants, and leisure activities as the main reason for the decline. Many now consider holidays on Lake Garda "too expensive."
"Everyone is starting to realize the prices for accommodation, food, and drinks. That it's crowded everywhere, and you can get stuck in traffic. There's only one answer: Do I want to participate, or should I just skip it? A lot of money but relaxation? That wouldn't be for me." Original comment
"The Germans would be popular again. That's right, if no one comes anymore. These outrageous prices, at least." Original comment
"Lake Garda is truly beautiful. For vacationers, the price is much more expensive these days than it used to be." Original comment
"If only half the number of tourists come, you just have to charge a family of four €200 instead of the current €100, and everything will be back on track." To the original comment
"Expensive and an unspeakable journey from Germany to Italy with lots of traffic jams through Austria. You can easily do without it. There are beautiful corners in Germany where you can spend better holidays these days." Read the original comment.
"My impression is that in South Tyrol and Trentino, prices for hotels with half board have doubled within about three years. That's too much for me." Original comment
"I lived in Munich for over 20 years. I've never been to Lake Garda. Too expensive, too crowded. And even today, I don't miss it." Read the original comment.
Several readers report a change in attitudes towards tourists in Italy and Spain, for example due to protests against mass tourism.
"Well, if you can't get enough of it, no wonder. In Spain, they don't want tourists anymore, they take to the streets and demonstrate against tourism. The idea is probably that the vacationer should go there for a short time, hand over some money, and then go home. They're the best tourists..." Read the original comment.
"You shouldn't blame it solely on external influences. For years, we've observed that in Italy and Spain, for example, tourists—and especially German ones—are perceived as a nuisance. There are even demonstrations against this. It's sometimes too much for southerners (Italy: Sirmione/Lake Garda is sometimes jam-packed). I can partly understand this anger, but people should reflect on the fact that many regions in the South would become impoverished without tourists..." To the original comment
"That's right. Tourists in Italy and Spain have been made aware that they are no longer welcome, so they stay away. Prices have risen so much that it's no longer acceptable, especially when you know you're not welcome." Original comment
"If you view tourists as nothing more than cows to be milked, you shouldn't be surprised. When you also read daily that anti-tourist sentiment is becoming more and more prevalent (Venice, Spain, etc.), you certainly shouldn't be surprised that tourists are staying away..." Original comment
According to some comments, access is difficult, and available space on the lake—especially in the north—is limited. Many cite traffic congestion and construction sites as additional challenges during their stay.
"The problem with Lake Garda is that it offers very little space on the northern half. The mountains start right at the shore and rise steeply. Everything is concentrated in a few spots. But the north side is also the best spot if you want to surf or sail. There, you have guaranteed wind..." Original comment
"The Italians should decide: all the beauty for their own people or should more tourists come? If so, the infrastructure definitely needs to be improved – a 10-hour drive for a distance of 600 km seems too long to me." Original comment
"Well, if they in Italy come up with something new every five minutes to harass drivers, no one will go there anymore. Elsewhere, one warning sign is enough if there are wheels on the back. In Italy, of course, you need two. Prices have also skyrocketed, just like at home. Then you'll just have a shorter vacation or stay at home..." To the original comment
"Agonizingly long journeys and traffic jams are what keep me from going to Italy. But even within Germany, we've practically canceled our short breaks. Back home in Saarbrücken, we almost exclusively book holidays with flights from here." Read the original comment.
Some readers cite inflation, high taxes and declining purchasing power as the main reasons for fewer holidays abroad.
"This is actually widespread throughout Europe: traditional holiday regions are missing well-paying guests, especially from Germany. However, this is in the nature of things. A good three years of Green-Red mismanagement with EU support, resulting in high inflation, high taxes, and the resulting economic crisis have significantly reduced purchasing power..." Read the original comment.
"Then they'll just come back next year or the year after. No reason to panic. The EU – and Italy in particular – have been ensuring for decades that German citizens have less and less left over. Get used to it." Read the original comment .
Part of the discussion revolves around the apparent contradiction between complaints about too many tourists and concerns about their absence.
"One moment everyone is complaining about the tourists and the next everyone is crying because they're staying away... It's a never-ending cycle." Original comment
"When the tourists come: overtourism, it's all terrible. Moaning. When the tourists don't come: moaning. Conclusion: You can't leave public opinion-making to (left-wing) NGOs with impunity, who make a niche issue big to profit from it themselves or propagate their, at best, questionable views. This is what happens..." Original comment
"I wonder why people here are complaining so much about the cost of a vacation. I also don't know whether the statements and priorities regarding the choice of food (pizza) can be considered representative. But I can say that I now have a problem identifying myself as German." Original comment
Some readers cite extreme weather, heat, or the temporary low water period in 2022 as the reason for the decline.
"As documented by the media, everyone now knows that Lake Garda can dry up again very quickly. What would you do at Lake Garda without Lake Garda?" Original comment
"Lack of tourists? It's obvious. All the red-hot weather maps on TV and in the newspapers show over 40 degrees at night, 50 degrees during the day. Not to mention, Lake Garda is drying up, just like last year. Irony off." To the original comment
"Hmm – I think the big holiday boom is coming to an end: Fewer and fewer people can afford a holiday, let alone a large family. Add to that the climate disasters and the aforementioned road construction projects, which are currently happening everywhere. And there will definitely be lawsuits not only in Italy, but everywhere. On the other hand, this also eliminates mass tourism, so you have to look at it from a different perspective, which is also good for the environment there." Original comment
"If we want to save the climate, we all have to tighten our belts. Besides, we always look for the reasons in others rather than conducting an open and honest self-diagnosis." Original comment
Further discussions will focus on individual experiences at Lake Garda, the quality of service and accommodation, as well as holidays in one's own country and critical comments on the topic of travel.
"Exactly, you'd better go to the cheaper North Sea. Sylt is known to be very affordable, but you can also have a cheap holiday in Bavaria, where a schnitzel costs only 19 euros, compared to a 10-euro pizza, or delicious homemade pasta for 8 euros, or spaghetti allo Scoglio for 12 euros. Oh yes, and the weather is of course much better in Germany..." Read the original comment.
"Strange – and that even though the economy is booming. What's wrong with the Germans? Everything's going great. And they're stonewalling?" To the original comment
"Perhaps the region should consider whether the absence of guests is partly self-inflicted. Prices are now sometimes outrageous, and the structure of many accommodations is increasingly decaying. Every broom closet has been converted into accommodation. I haven't had decent accommodation on Lake Garda in years. And that's in the mid-price segment, not the lower." Original comment
"By the way: After a quick search on Booking.com, the hotels on Lake Garda are fully booked. Even the expensive ones. What more do they want? Double overbooking?" To the original comment
- Note : The comments presented in this article reflect solely the opinions of the users. Their content has not been edited.
What have you experienced? Share your opinion or respond to comments.
FOCUS
