interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
As tourism continues to rise in Trieste and the broader Friuli Venezia Giulia region, local officials have addressed concerns about overtourism and recent fluctuations in hotel prices during major events.
Maurizio Giudici, president of Federalberghi Trieste, the association representing local hoteliers, said that the city is not experiencing overtourism. “Trieste doesn’t have an overtourism problem,” Giudici said. “In fact, we need more hotel rooms. The city offers excellent accommodations, but we need better organization to manage the growing number of visitors.”
Giudici pointed to Trieste’s role as a conference destination, noting that the city’s conference center, ranked among Italy’s top ten, can host up to 2,000 attendees but lacks sufficient nearby hotel capacity. “Talking about overtourism here is unrealistic,” he said. Giudici also highlighted that tourism growth in Trieste has been strong, with double-digit increases, making it the only city in the region to see such expansion.
Governor Massimiliano Fedriga echoed the view that Trieste is not currently facing overtourism but emphasized the need for responsible management. “Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trieste are experiencing great success and offering great opportunities. This should make us more responsible,” Fedriga said.
The governor took a firm stance on recent hotel price fluctuations linked to a major event in the city, describing some pricing practices as harmful to Trieste’s reputation. “What I saw yesterday was unacceptable,” he said. “Prices today are significantly lower than yesterday—sometimes a third or a fifth. This kind of fluctuation ruins a city’s tourism reputation.”
Fedriga said such incidents were isolated and pledged to work with local authorities to address the issue. “Fortunately, only a minority behaved this way,” he said. “We can’t invest in promoting tourism while some drive tourists away with price gouging.”
Giudici acknowledged that price increases during major events are common and comparable to other Italian cities hosting large conventions or fairs. He praised the recent event’s organizers for smooth management and supported Fedriga’s call for dialogue, adding, “We have ideas to propose” to improve the tourism system.
Trieste’s tourism sector has grown steadily in recent years, drawing visitors with its mix of Central European culture, Adriatic coastline, and cultural offerings. As the city’s popularity rises, officials are focused on balancing growth with maintaining affordability and preserving local character.
