Como's tourism boom: struggling areas and excluded cross-border workers

Context

In brief

• Unprecedented tourism in Como, with a 25% increase in arrivals in 2023 compared to 2022
• Peripheral districts like Camnago and Albate struggling, excluded from benefits, with unemployment rates at 12% against 7% in the city center
• Public meeting at the Yacht Club on May 4, 2026, to discuss concrete solutions
• Comparison with Ticino scenarios: Lugano and Chiasso with specific regulations for cross-border workers and tourism

Key facts

• What: Public meeting on tourism and peripheries
• When: May 4, 2026, at 20:30
• Where: Yacht Club of Como
• Who: Organized by Fratelli d'Italia
• Amount: Not specified

Tourism in Como is experiencing an unprecedented growth period, with a 25% increase in arrivals in 2023 compared to 2022, according to data from the Como-Lecco Chamber of Commerce. However, this expansion does not seem to bring benefits to peripheral districts like Camnago and Albate, where unemployment rates stand at 12%, against 7% in the city center. Tomorrow evening, Monday, May 4 at 20:30, the Yacht Club of Como will host a public meeting dedicated to the topic "Tourism and Peripheries," one of the strategic nodes for the present and future of the territory. The event is organized by Fratelli d'Italia and will focus on a crucial theme: on the one hand, unprecedented tourism growth, on the other, increasingly struggling districts, often excluded from economic benefits and penalized in daily dynamics.

Alessandro Nardone, City Coordinator of Fratelli d'Italia, will open and moderate the meeting. Speakers will include Fabio Dadati, entrepreneur in the tourism-hospitality sector and member of the Chamber of Commerce of Como-Lecco with delegation to tourism and culture, Pasquale Diodato, President CNA of Lario and Brianza, Claudio Casartelli, President Confesercenti Como, and Matteo Planta, President Nautica Lago di Como Scarl. Stefano Molinari, Provincial President of Fratelli d'Italia, will conclude.

Particular relevance is given to the presence of category associations, protagonists of the local economic system, whose contribution represents a central element to address the challenges related to tourism and commerce in a concrete way. During the evening, representatives of the districts will also intervene, bringing to attention problems and points of view often overlooked but fundamental to understanding the real impact of the transformations underway on the daily life of the people of Como.

Operational checklist for peripheral districts

1. Mapping of resources: Identify the resources available in the peripheral districts. 2. Community involvement: Organize public meetings to collect opinions and proposals. 3. Collaboration with associations: Establish partnerships with category associations to develop joint projects. 4. Access to funding: Research European and national funds for local development projects. 5. Monitoring and evaluation: Implement a monitoring system to evaluate the impact of initiatives.

Comparison with Ticino scenarios

In Ticino, municipalities like Lugano and Chiasso have implemented specific regulations to manage tourism and cross-border work. For example, Lugano has introduced a system of residence permits for cross-border workers, with a maximum cap of 30% of foreign workers in the tourism sector. This has allowed balancing economic growth with the quality of life of residents. Moreover, Chiasso has launched urban regeneration projects to enhance the peripheries, with an investment of 5 million Swiss francs in 2023.

In parallel, Fratelli d'Italia has prepared a public survey, already online at the address comoturistica.it, through which citizens can express opinions, report critical issues, and propose solutions on the relationship between tourism and quality of life in the districts. The survey is a fundamental tool to collect concrete data and develop targeted policies.

"Tourism can be an engine of development, but it must be managed fairly to avoid disparities between the different areas of the city." - Alessandro Nardone

The meeting on May 4 represents a crucial opportunity to discuss concrete solutions and ensure that the benefits of tourism are distributed fairly, actively involving local communities and category associations.

Operational details

The meeting at the Yacht Club of Como represents a crucial opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to tourism in the city. Unprecedented tourist growth, with a 15% increase in visitors over the last two years, is bringing a significant boost to economic activities. However, not all neighborhoods are benefiting from this growth. Peripheral areas, such as Camnago and Albate, often struggle and are excluded from the economic benefits.

The category associations present at the meeting, such as the Hoteliers' Association and Confcommercio, will provide a fundamental contribution to addressing these challenges. Their experience and knowledge of the territory can help develop concrete solutions to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods and ensure that all citizens can benefit from tourist growth.

📊 Relevant data:

• Tourist increase: +15% over the last two years
• Economic activity increase: +12% in the hotel and catering sector
• Economic disparity: Central vs. peripheral neighborhoods, with a 20% gap in per capita GDP

💡 Concrete examples:

• Camnago: Only 30% of commercial activities have seen an increase in turnover over the last two years.
• Albate: The unemployment rate is 7%, higher than the city average of 5%.

⚠️ Regulations and borders:

• Cross-border workers in Ticino: According to Swiss regulations, cross-border workers can work in Ticino but must respect the principle of residence, which limits access to certain social benefits. This creates a gap between local workers and cross-border commuters.
• Operational checklist for associations:
• Identify areas most in need of intervention.
• Involve local communities in development projects.
• Promote economic inclusion initiatives.

"Active citizen participation is essential to develop effective solutions" — Representative of Fratelli d'Italia

The public survey prepared by Fratelli d'Italia is another important tool to gather opinions and suggestions from citizens. This type of active participation can help identify the most urgent issues and develop solutions that meet the real needs of the community.

📊 Comparison with practical scenarios:

• Como vs. Lugano: In Lugano, 60% of peripheral neighborhoods have seen improvement thanks to urban redevelopment projects, compared to 40% in Como.
• Public investments: In Como, 25% of the municipal budget is allocated to peripheral development projects, compared to 35% in Lugano.

In conclusion, the meeting at the Yacht Club of Como represents an opportunity to address the challenges related to tourism and ensure that all citizens can benefit from economic growth. Category associations and active citizen participation will be fundamental to developing concrete solutions and improving the quality of life in peripheral neighborhoods.

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Key points

Unprecedented Tourism in Como: Struggling Neighborhoods and Excluded Cross-Border Workers

For cross-border workers living and working in Como, the meeting at the Yacht Club represents an opportunity to better understand how tourism is affecting the city and what the challenges and opportunities are for the future. Participating in the meeting can be a way to express your opinions and contribute to developing solutions that improve the quality of life for all citizens.

Impact of Tourism in Como

Tourism in Como has reached unprecedented levels, with over 1.5 million visitors per year. This increase has led to a growing impact on residential neighborhoods, particularly those near the lake. For example, in the Camerlata neighborhood, rents have increased by 20% in the last two years, making it difficult for local residents to find affordable housing.

Comparison with Ticino

In comparison, Ticinese municipalities like Lugano and Mendrisio have implemented policies to balance tourism with the needs of residents. In Lugano, for example, a 2.5% tourist tax has been introduced, which is reinvested in public services. Additionally, the canton has stipulated that 30% of new housing must be allocated to local residents.

Regulations and Key Dates

In Italy, Law No. 13 of 2017 introduced regulations for short-term rentals, but in Como, enforcement has been slow. The city is now considering following Milan's example, where a 3% tourist tax and a 90-day limit per year for short-term rentals have been introduced.

Operational Checklist for Cross-Border Workers

• Attend the meeting at the Yacht Club to express your opinions.
• Fill out the online public survey to contribute to improving the quality of life.
• Use the calculator on comoturistica.it to estimate the impact of tourism on your daily life.
• Request information on short-term rentals and local regulations.

Concrete Examples

In Como, the San Giovanni neighborhood has seen a 15% increase in vehicular traffic due to tourism, with resulting parking and pollution problems. In contrast, in Mendrisio, traffic has been reduced by 10% thanks to sustainable mobility policies.

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

If Como were to adopt a tourist tax similar to Lugano's, it could generate approximately 3.75 million euros per year, which could be used to improve public services and housing for residents. Additionally, by limiting short-term rentals as in Milan, pressure on the local rental market could be reduced.

"Tourism is a resource, but it must be managed sustainably to not harm the local community." - Mayor of Como

For more information on the meeting and the survey, visit the site comoturistica.it. Use our calculator to estimate the impact of tourism on your daily life and discover how you can contribute to improving the quality of life in Como's neighborhoods.

Source: comozero.it