Lake Garda 2030: Lazise Opens Dialogue on Future Tourism
What will tourism on Lake Garda look like in the next decade?
On March 21, the historic Dogana Veneta in Lazise will host an event that aims to start answering that question. The initiative, titled “Laboratorio Garda 2030”, will bring together researchers, institutions and tourism leaders for a morning of dialogue dedicated to the future of one of Italy’s most beloved destinations.
Organized by the Municipality of Lazise, BCC del Garda, and the Observatory for Tourism on Lake Garda (OTG) – a research center of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – the event is designed as the beginning of a broader reflection on how tourism in the Garda region can evolve in the years ahead.
More than a traditional conference, it is intended as a space for conversation, ideas and shared perspectives.
Why Lake Garda Is Asking New Questions About Tourism
Lake Garda has long been one of Italy’s most successful tourism destinations. Every year millions of visitors are drawn to its villages, landscapes and unique combination of Mediterranean atmosphere and Alpine scenery.
But even the most successful destinations eventually reach a moment when new questions need to be asked.
A destination facing new challenges
Today the Garda territory is reflecting on several important themes:
- the concentration of visitors during peak summer months
- the environmental pressure on coastal ecosystems
- the need to better connect lakeside towns with the inland territory
- the importance of stronger coordination between tourism operators and local communities
In a global tourism landscape shaped by rapid economic and geopolitical change, destinations everywhere are beginning to rethink their development models. Lake Garda is no exception.
Three Perspectives for the Future: Water, Land and Community
The discussion at Laboratorio Garda 2030 will revolve around three key elements that define the identity of the Garda territory.
Water
The lake itself is at the center of the conversation. Scholars will explore the many roles water plays in the Garda ecosystem: as a cultural heritage element, a mobility corridor and a precious environmental resource.
Land
Beyond the shoreline lies a rich territory of hills, vineyards, olive groves and rural landscapes. This dimension focuses on how agriculture, outdoor experiences and slow mobility can create new forms of tourism value while preserving the character of the region.
Community
Perhaps the most important perspective concerns the people who live on and around the lake. Discussions will explore governance, territorial identity and how local communities can be more actively involved in shaping the future of tourism.
Research, Dialogue and Local Voices
The morning will begin with a series of academic presentations from researchers working on tourism, sociology and territorial development.
Later in the program, a round table discussion will bring together representatives from tourism associations, economic organizations and regional institutions to exchange views on the opportunities and challenges facing the Garda tourism system.
Listening to residents and local operators
An interesting part of the event will be the presentation of the results of a recent opinion poll conducted among residents and tourism operators in Lazise and the surrounding area.
The survey offers a valuable snapshot of how the local community perceives tourism today and what expectations people have for the future of the territory.
Towards a Shared Vision for Garda 2030
The initiative connects with broader European discussions on sustainable tourism and the principles of Agenda 2030.
For Lake Garda, the challenge is not simply to attract visitors – something the destination already does very successfully – but to ensure that tourism continues to create value while protecting the landscape and supporting the wellbeing of local communities.
This means exploring new strategies such as:
- redistributing tourism flows across different seasons
- strengthening connections between the lake and inland territories
- protecting environmental resources
- diversifying tourism experiences
Events like Laboratorio Garda 2030 represent an important first step in that conversation.
Event Information
Laboratorio Garda 2030
Perspectives for the Future of Tourism on Lake Garda
📅 March 21st 2026
🕘 Starting at 9:00 AM
🎟 The event is open to the public
Informations on how to get around can be found 👉 here
A Conversation Worth Following
Lake Garda is not only a beautiful destination. It is also a living territory shaped by culture, landscape and community.
Conversations like Garda 2030 remind us that the future of places we love depends on thoughtful dialogue and shared vision.
At Garda Gems, we follow the stories, places and conversations that contribute to the evolving identity of Lake Garda – from local traditions and landscapes to the ideas that will shape its future.
Text and photos by Amy
.
Leave a Reply