A turning point in Valchiavenna. Fewer hit-and-runs and more foreign tourists.

Between beaches emptied by overpriced beach umbrellas and trails jammed with newcomers, Valchiavenna is enjoying itself. This is according to the Province of Sondrio's tourism observatory, Abit, which recorded a 4% increase in tourist presences in July compared to the same period in 2024 and a 2.5% decrease in arrivals. This figure is not inconsistent with the former, nor is it negative, the observers emphasize, since it reflects the increase in average stays, which now exceed 2.5 nights per person. This means that "hit-and-run" tourism is moving away from "settled, informed, and quality" holidays, capable of generating a positive impact on the entire local supply chain. This picture is confirmed by an average "sentiment" for the attractions sector, up half a percentage point from the previous year, to 90.1%. Among the most popular places are the Spluga Pass in Madesimo (with a sentiment of 93.83%), the Acquafraggia waterfalls (up to 96.28% as a park) and Palazzo Vertemate Franchi (98.21%) in Piuro, as well as the lakes of Montespluga and Azzurro, Alpe Motta, Tracciolino and other destinations with strong scenic and cultural appeal.

Hospitality sentiment has also been growing since last year, reaching 84.1%, but the real turning point for tourism in Valchiavenna is internationalization : nearly seven out of ten tourists (68.8%) arrive from abroad, with peaks of 80% in Lower Valchiavenna thanks to influxes from Alpine passes and the historic trails of the Via Spluga and Via Bregaglia. The most represented nationalities are Swiss, German, Dutch, Polish, and British, while the 31.2% who come to the valley from the rest of Italy are predominantly Lombards. Overall, 43.17% of those arriving are couples, 28.83% are families, 11.67% are single, and just 0.17% are business travelers. "Understanding why tourists choose Valchiavenna, where they come from, what they appreciate, and what they're looking for," emphasizes Filippo Pighetti, director of the Valchiavenna Tourist Consortium, "is now a strategic priority."