Black Forest delegation enthusiastic about wine tourism in Ticino!

Black Forest delegation enthusiastic about wine tourism in Ticino!

Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH (STG) conducted an extensive study trip to Ticino from May 14th to 16th, 2025, in which a 22-person tourism delegation took part. The aim of this trip was to explore different facets of Ticino tourism, including wine tourism, architecture and city tourism. During the stay, the delegation met with a large number of tourism stakeholders and political representatives from Ticino to discuss future developments and strategies.

On the first day, an important meeting took place in Morcote, where Angelo Trotta, Director of Ticino Tourism, explained to the delegation the marketing strategies and key future issues of Ticino. Stefano Rizzi, the director of Ticino's economic department, highlighted the economic development strategy and innovations to support businesses in the tourism sector. The role of tourism as a driving force for regional development was particularly emphasized by Hansjörg Mair, managing director of the STG.

Wine tourism and architectural highlights

The delegation took the opportunity to explore the potential of wine tourism by visiting Tenuta Castello di Morcote. Gaby Gianini, the winery's winemaker, presented her winery as a meeting point for high-quality wine tourism. In this context, the STG announced the establishment of a Baden Wine Tourism competence team to support winemakers in the Baden Winegrowers Association.

Another highlight was the visit to the tourist complex “Fiore di Pietra” on Monte Generoso, which was designed by the renowned architect Mario Botta. This architectural attraction, operational since 2017 and featuring a restaurant and a conference area, was presented by Lorenz Brugger, director of Ferrovia Monte Generoso. A visit to the LAC – Lugano Arte e Cultura cultural center, designed by Ivano Gianola, rounded off the first day. Here the delegation found rooms for exhibitions and various events.

An important part of the trip was the visit to the “Albergo Diffuso Monte Generoso”. The innovative concept includes rooms spread across the village and was introduced by Athos Cereghetti, which includes five renovated buildings. Hansjörg Mair sees potential in this approach for similar projects in the Black Forest that could contribute to the revitalization of rural areas.

City tourism and exchange with Lugano

City tourism was identified as a decisive factor for the Black Forest holiday region. The shareholders of these initiatives are the cities of Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Pforzheim and Baden-Baden. The trip concluded with a guided tour through the old town of Lugano, followed by an exchange with Massimo Boni, director of the Lugano Region, and representatives of the city. This exchange highlighted the possibilities for cooperation between the regions.

The delegation also visited the “Albergo Diffuso” in Corippo, the smallest village in Switzerland. Here guests can stay in minimalist accommodation with authentic Ticino heritage. The hotel offers ten rooms and space for 22 people, as well as a variety of amenities including a restaurant, shuttle service and free Wi-Fi. Guests also benefit from the advantages of the Ticino Ticket, which offers free travel on public transport as well as discounts on mountain railways and tourist attractions. The hilltop location in the mountains allows for a peaceful stay with panoramic views in this picturesque region.

The study trip not only promoted exchange and networking, but also provided valuable insights into the tourism approaches in Ticino, which can serve as inspiration for future projects in the Black Forest.