The Garda lake in Italy, is popular with holidaymakers for a number of years. First of all, among the Germans. This is a Trend that not all will welcome.
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy
It is hot, crowds of people swarm through the narrow streets and the cafes were full of everyday life for the main season in the historic centre of Sirmione. The place on the Peninsula of the southern part of lake Garda has developed in recent years to a Hotspot. “For three years we have seen a very strong tourist growth,” said Sabrina Medaglia from the tourist office of Sirmione. The tourists storm the place, therefore, often in droves. Not all are pleased.
Sirmione, on the Peninsula in the southern part of lake Garda
New guests from China and Russia
The Figures of the tourist year, the balance sheet of the province of Brescia speak for themselves: Around 1.36 million overnight Stays in Sirmione recorded in the year 2017. Almost six percent more than in the previous year. So that the Church, which counts around 8000 inhabitants, is the most popular holiday resort in the province and one of the most visited places on lake Garda. “We are happy when tourists come, above all, it is good for those who work in the tourist area,” said Medaglia.
Tourists in the city centre of Sirmione
One reason for the Boom, but also groups of tourists that did not exist previously in Sirmione are: “Chinese and Russian tourists have increased in the past few years,” she said. But German tourists still have the lead for the vacationers list in Sirmione. In Bavaria, the lake in the North of Italy, even the “Lago di Monaco” due to the many visitors from around four and a half hours ‘ drive away, and Munich. Finally, the lake of the South of Germany is not too far away, and behind the Alps, the climate is already Mediterranean.
Torbole on the Northern shore of lake Garda, is popular with wind surfers
Environmentalists are alarmed
While the tourism industry is happy about the many visitors, views environmentalists are uneasy about the development. “The tourists cause a lot of traffic, the polluted, increasingly, air and water. Private investors are not interested in this, of course,” said Salvatore La Magra, the Chairman of the environmental group of G. A. R. D. A.. Therefore, it is especially important that the local communities take care of this and take measures to protect the lake and its surroundings. “In some European tourist destinations such as Barcelona, a rule is already right-wing hatred against visitors. So this does not happen in Sirmione, you need to act responsible in a timely manner,” says La Magra. Sirmione has adopted, for example, bans on driving.
Lazise, on the southeastern shore of lake Garda
Traffic calming through bans
Cars may not be in the place. But from 1. August are likely also bicycles in the historic center, the Council for development and industry, Alessandro Mattinzoli. The car and Bicycle prohibition affected the citizens of Sirmione, who lived outside of the old town. Of the rule, residents of the centre as well as hotel guests to the old town and the people who worked there were the only exception. “Most of the visitors are to walk in the centre of the road. If there is still a number of cars and bikes driving around, there is total Chaos, especially for the high season,” said Mattinzoli.
Malcesine on the Eastern shore of lake Garda
Anyone who violates the law must reckon with a fine of up to € 80. Whether with or without a Bicycle: the number of tourists in Sirmione, the ban will change nothing. And with the Bicycle tourists are fond of on the coast on the way. In the municipality of Limone, a new spectacular Bicycle path attached to the mountain slope to attract tourists.
The former fishing village of Limone sul Garda on the Western shore of lake Garda
What attracts the masses, has become for some Locals to a Problem: the somewhat isolated location of Sirmione makes Living in the town becoming less attractive. “The youth here, because it’s all very limited. There is no Parking, and you are allowed to drive with the car only up to a certain time to the centre. There is also no supermarket,” said Alba Sirmione. Everything is very geared to the tourist, such as the smaller shops with Italian specialties are all too expensive.
Gabriele Hafner (dpa)