South Tyrol's mountains at their limit: overcrowded huts and tourist chaos!

South Tyrol's mountains at their limit: overcrowded huts and tourist chaos!

South Tyrol's Alps are currently experiencing a real rush of tourists, which is pushing many hut owners to their limits. One of the most affected locations is the Schlernhaus, which has been run by the Gasser family for 50 years. Hut manager Harald Gasser reports desperately that the operation is not designed for the enormous number of visitors. The kitchen is overloaded with up to a thousand meals a day, while at the same time difficulties in finding staff are causing problems for the mountain residents. According to the Economic Institute of the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce, there were over 33.5 million overnight stays in South Tyrol last year, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the previous year. A further increase is expected for 2025, particularly from abroad. These figures demonstrate the immense popularity of the region. Merker reports that...

Overload due to mass tourism

The overcrowding of the huts also means that you can only get a place with a reservation. This can be particularly observed in the popular Lake Braies, where over 17,000 visitors are counted on peak days. Measures such as online reservations for access have already been introduced. Thomas Zelger, President of the South Tyrolean mountain guides and hiking guides, warned at the annual general meeting of the consequences of “overtourism” and called for clear rules for future tourism development in the mountains. “Tourists have to learn to treat our nature with respect,” says Zelger. Alpin highlights that…

In the middle of this discussion, the topic of overnight accommodation is also addressed. In order to get mass tourism under control, the South Tyrol regional government has decided on a bed freeze, which will be implemented soon. A Rosenberg points out that on peak days the tourist burden is up to three times as high as would actually be acceptable. Michil Costa's book “Raus aus dem Rummel” addresses the loss of South Tyrolean identity and the mass hotel industry. BR reports on…

Caring for nature is what matters

Not only are the huts and the gastronomic infrastructure reaching their limits, nature itself is also suffering. The luxury that has found its way into the regions of the Dolomites attracts guests who don't necessarily belong at higher altitudes. The consequences are long traffic jams, expensive parking spaces and overcrowded passes. We are urgently working on a rethink. The protests against mass tourism in particular show that the locals are no longer willing to stand idly by. On the Piz Boè is the sign “Tourists go home!”, a clear appeal to the masses for whom the nature of the Alps means nothing.

The experts are calling for a rethink in tourism, with a focus on sustainability and preservation of the Alpine community. Otherwise, what is currently being celebrated as a “vacation in paradise” could soon become a painful reality for everyone involved. It remains to be hoped that the bed ban and other measures taken by the regional government will have an effect and that consideration will be given to nature's precious treasures.