Holidays on the lake

The Beginning

Tourism on Lake Bolsena as we know it today began in the 1950s. This was for various reasons; the economic development of the Nordic countries, the opening of European borders, the hospitality of the lake inhabitants, good eating at low prices and the extraordinary beauty of the countryside and the beaches. Among the first to arrive were German and Dutch tourists, many of them in caravans, spending 3-4 weeks.

How is tourism today?

The lake still attracts tourists from Germany and Holland, but our lake has also been chosen as a holiday destination by citizens of Austria, Switzerland, Norway, England etc. Families today stay for shorter periods however, on average only 10-14 days.

What are today’s tourists looking for?

Many come with tents, caravans or motorhomes. Others, above all those who can stay only a few days, desire more comfort and, without wasting time organising a campsite, begin straight away to enjoy their holiday. This is reflected in the rising number of agriturismi with very nice apartments. In the past eight years (i.e. since 2009) the demand for private lodgings has increased; rather than an apartment in an agritourism facility, some visitors prefer the undisturbed environment that only a private house or a villa with its own pool can guarantee.

What about tourism in the future?

Our lives are becoming always busier, the length of holidays is shorter, demands are growing and changing. Overwhelmed by too many stimuli, our desire for naturalness and authenticity is growing, our desire to spend peaceful days with our loved ones and in good company. We look for nature and typicality. We don’t want to eat rubbish food, we want food of good quality. Even in tourism the trend is towards organic products.

What are the prospects around the lake?

Bio-tourism, slow food, sustainable tourism are the key words for a quality, environmentally aware reception. A direction encouraged by the United Nations, who proclaimed 2017 ‘International Year of Sustainable Tourism’.
Among the potential of the lake area, remember also that we are only a few hours’ distance from large cities such as Rome, Florence, Siena and Perugia. And at national level, Lake Bolsena can be an ideal place for a weekend surrounded by nature, in a part of Tuscia rich in history, traditions and culture. We can take advantage of these characteristics and take benefits from them for the land and its inhabitants.

What does sustainable tourism mean?

Sustainable tourism protects and promotes, long term, the nature and culture of a region. It’s an economic system intertwined with the natural ecosystem. It engages the tourist, the business owner and the inhabitants.
Sustainable tourism affects all sectors – housing, recreation, food, agriculture and other productive activities. It means also to protect the culture and tradition of a place and transmit its knowledge to interested visitors.

What does it mean for the lake?

In the first place, it means that the protection and development of nature, culture and traditions becomes an absolute priority for the inhabitants and the local administration. This offers a unique opportunity for all sectors of the local economy as well as for tourism, putting in motion a ‘virtuous circle’ which sustains and reinforces the development of tourism and the local economy on one side and the protection of the environment on the other. On the other hand, mass tourism goes at equal pace with the decline of nature and culture.

What can we do?

• Distinguish with a certificate those tourist lodgings which are engaged in sustainability, e.g. those with solar energy, certificate of dirty water disposal, built with ecological materials, of low energy consumption, provision of recycling on site, organic management of land and offering organic products.
• Give priority to the development of a network of trails for walking, cycling or horse riding.
• Collect and disposal of rubbish and dirty water around the lake should function perfectly.
• The council should open ‘recycling centres’ for tourists and inhabitants, a short distance from towns.
• Take advantage of organic produce, thus sustaining organic agriculture and protecting the environment.
• Increase the offer of guided tours and at the same time, improve the care of important historic sites.
• Strongly promote famous walks, such as the ‘Via Francigena’ and the ‘Sentiero dei Briganti’, equipping them with billboards giving information on their history, natural characteristics and historic sites.
• Promote sustainable watersport and make sensible limits on the use of motor boats.