by InTrieste
Interview: Sergio Bini, FVG councilor for tourism
While concerts and cultural events have helped maintain steady tourist arrivals in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, seaside resorts in Lignano and Grado experienced a slowdown in July, according to local reports.
Data released by PromoTurismoFvg, the regional tourism agency, shows a 3.5 percent increase in overnight stays between May and June. Tourism Councillor Sergio Emidio Bini highlighted that much of this growth was driven by Italian tourists, especially those visiting coastal areas, which accounted for two-thirds of total stays at 1.4 million. Mountain destinations saw an 11.8 percent increase, reaching approximately 200,000 stays, while regional cities experienced a 7 percent rise, with nearly 740,000 nights booked.
Despite this positive start to the season, weather conditions and shifting traveler habits appear to have dampened July’s performance on the coast. Beach operators in Lignano reported a roughly 15 percent decrease in attendance compared to the previous year. “People who book day trips often check the weather forecast and cancel if rain is expected,” said Michele Battiston, president of the Spiaggia Viva consortium. Some families also opted to eat on the beach to save money amid economic pressures.
Hotel operators in Lignano expressed caution, noting that weekday occupancy was lower, with weekend activity remaining relatively stronger. In contrast, Grado’s beaches saw a more stable situation, with reservations holding steady. “July saw a slowdown, but bookings for August remain promising,” said Lorenza Ceiner, a representative of regional beach operators.
The mountainous areas of the region presented a varied picture. While some locations such as Sappada experienced moderate impact from bad weather, events and cycling tourism helped sustain visitor numbers in Tarvisio. In Sauris, unseasonably cool weather forced some hotels to turn on heating in July after a strong June season.
Urban centers like Trieste fared better overall, maintaining steady visitor arrivals despite a trend toward last-minute bookings that complicated planning. Nearby Udine recorded a slight 3 percent decline compared to the previous year, a change considered manageable by local hoteliers.
Tourism officials remain hopeful for an August rebound, counting on continued success from festivals and concerts to stimulate arrivals across the region despite recent challenges. All eyes are on August 13th for the biggest sporting event of summer with Udine hosting the UEFA Super Cup.
