Limone on Lake Garda: The secret cash cow among Italy's tourist resorts!

Limone on Lake Garda: The secret cash cow among Italy's tourist resorts!

Lake Garda is known not only for its picturesque scenery, but also for its economic importance through the tourism sector. A recent analysis by the Italian institute Sociometrica shows that Limone sul Garda is at the forefront of tourism added value in Italy. In 2024, a hypothetical turnover of 241,000 euros per inhabitant from tourism was determined, making Limone a pioneer among Italian municipalities. This excellent figure, calculated based on approximately 1,100 residents, highlights the lucrative opportunities offered by small communities with a strong tourism focus. Allgäu newspaper reports that the analysis is based on the official overnight stay figures from the Italian statistics office Istat and takes into account the estimates of short-term rentals.

In total, around 466 million tourist overnight stays were counted in Italy in 2024, representing an increase of 4.2 percent compared to the previous year. This increase has resulted in a total value of tourism contribution to the Italian economy of 117.1 billion euros. Smaller communities, such as Limone, benefit particularly greatly from tourist offerings, as these places often have unique attractions and a high number of visitors.

Top communities on Lake Garda

The analysis highlights that eight municipalities from the Lake Garda region are among the top 100 Italian municipalities in terms of tourism added value. These are:

• Lazise: 13. Platz mit 906 Millionen Euro
• Peschiera del Garda: 23. Platz mit 587 Millionen Euro
• Bardolino: 24. Platz mit 565 Millionen Euro
• Riva del Garda: 34. Platz mit 404 Millionen Euro
• Sirmione: 50. Platz mit 308 Millionen Euro
• Malcesine: 57. Platz mit 285 Millionen Euro
• Limone sul Garda: 63. Platz mit 266 Millionen Euro
• Desenzano del Garda: 65. Platz mit 255 Millionen Euro

Additionally, the study shows that Limone is positioned high on this list due to its high sales per capita. The successful communities are increasingly relying on quality tourism and sustainable development, which not only has a positive impact on the economy, but also significantly advances environmentally conscious mobility offerings and the promotion of local businesses.

Economic impact of tourism

The findings from the study “La ricchezza dei comuni turistici 2025” illustrate the growing economic influence of tourism, especially for small towns with few inhabitants. While Limone sul Garda takes first place, some holiday resorts in Trentino-Alto Adige follow, for example Campitello di Fassa with 170,000 euros per capita and Andalo with 166,000 euros. These places benefit from a similar concept and a strong focus on tourist experiences.

In summary, the data highlights both the high importance of tourism for the economic success of small communities and the need to invest in infrastructure and pursue sustainable strategies to ensure long-term success. South Tyrol News highlights how important these developments are for the region.