Tourism crisis: HGV calls for measures against wild camping and traffic!

Tourism crisis: HGV calls for measures against wild camping and traffic!

On May 31, 2025, the annual meeting of the Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association (HGV) took place in the Tramin Winery. The focus of the discussion was the appreciation for the hospitality industry and the challenges the industry faces. Special topics included wild camping, traffic on the Dolomite passes and short-term tourist rentals. HGV district chairman Gottfried Schgaguler looked back on a challenging year and thanked the officials for their support.

Schgaguler pointed out that wild campers often consume little in local businesses and also leave behind garbage. For this reason, he called for legal regulations to counteract wild camping. The HGV has already submitted concrete legislative proposals to the association of municipalities, State Councilor Luis Walcher and State Governor Arno Kompatscher.

Traffic issues and short-term rentals

Another central topic was the worrying traffic situation on the Dolomite passes. Here the HGV is calling for more pressure at the national level for traffic restrictions and controls to ensure the safety and protection of the region. A positive example of short-term rentals was given in Bolzano, where no additional guest beds are given to private landlords.

HGV President Manfred Pinzger addressed current tourism policy issues during the meeting and not only called for more recognition for the industry, but also good conditions for village inns and family-run businesses. He emphasized the need for relief for employee accommodation.

Toan Nguyen, the managing director of the Jung von Matt NERD agency, gave an interesting marketing lecture on the topic of how target groups in the tourism industry are increasingly changing into style groups. The meeting concluded with a culinary highlight from the Berggasthof Dorfner, prepared by Anton Dalvai and his team. Those present included well-known personalities such as Daniel Stuflesser, Stephanie Dissertori and Leo Tiefenthaler.

The importance of the Dolomites in tourism

In recent years, the Dolomites have established themselves as one of the main destinations for tourism in Italy. This impressive mountain formation was created around 280 million years ago by the subsidence of a mountain range as well as by sediment deposits and volcanic activity. The Dolomites have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the summer of 2009, which further underlines their importance for the region. In this regard, protecting nature and promoting sustainable tourism is of great importance.

The most famous mountains in the Dolomites include the Marmolada, which is the highest point at 3,342 m, as well as the Drei Zinnen, the Rosengarten, the Sciliar and numerous other peaks. Popular holiday resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo, Wolkenstein and Corvara attract numerous tourists every year who want to experience the unique landscape of the Dolomites.

Traveling to this beautiful region is possible by car, bus, train or plane, which makes it easier for holidaymakers to reach. In addition to the unique mountain landscapes, the Dolomites are also known for their numerous lakes, such as Lake Braies and Lake Antholz, as well as for hikes on the famous mountain trails that lead through impressive nature.

Tourism therefore remains indispensable for lively villages and the entire region, which was also impressively discussed at the HGV's annual meeting. For future developments, it will be crucial to find a balance between tourism growth and the protection of the unique natural landscapes of the Dolomites.

For more information you can visit the reports buongiornosuedtirol.it and dolomiten.net read up.