Recent debates on sustainable tourism in the Lake Garda region have highlighted issues related to tourist overcrowding, raising concerns among residents and local administrators. A reader shared insights on how the increasing number of resorts and constructions is compromising the environment, citing concrete examples such as the new “Park Resort Lake” in Salò and a hotel in Formaga, both designed to attract high-profile tourists. While these initiatives promise economic benefits, they risk damaging the area’s unique biodiversity and alienating residents from their communities.
Furthermore, it has been noted that current tourism policies fail to grasp the complexity of the tourism phenomenon, lacking in-depth studies on the interactions between the local population and tourist flows. Research conducted by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has shed light on data regarding tourist distribution but does not address the actual needs of the communities around Lake Garda. Therefore, there is a call to rethink a development model that respects the environment and enhances local cultural identity, rather than following a standardized path focused solely on the high numbers associated with mass tourism.
