Aware that the 2021 season due to the global covid-19 pandemic will certainly register a tourist flow not comparable to previous years, let's review together the last surprising turist years.
A golden 2019 for tourism on Lake Maggiore, with over three million visitors - Italian and international - who have visited the splendid places that overlook the shores of the most fascinating lake in Italy. To be exact, 3,098,037 people preferred to visit and stay in the cities and towns (or small villages) surrounding the lake, attracted by the wonders of the Borromean islands, villa Taranto, the many parks and rich flower gardens of colors and animals in the wild, without forgetting the poetic streets typical of Stresa, the elegant buildings and hotels overlooking the beaches, the castles of Cannero Riviera and the Rocca di Angera, up to the slopes of Mottarone, which from above watches over the placid and mysterious waters of Lake Maggiore.
A 2019 that confirmed the record numbers of the previous year in terms of presences and days of stay in hotels and accommodation facilities in general, especially in Verbania, Stresa, Arona and Baveno, but also in the other small and fascinating villages of the area, characterized from glimpses and surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
In this regard, we remind you that Baveno and Verbania are listed among the "most beautiful villages in Italy" and can wave the fateful "lilac flag", like the "blue flags" of which our cities and coasts are full, such as the new entry Arona, with the Rocchette beach, and Cannero Riviera and Cannobio.
Still on the subject of awards, it is also worth remembering the "orange flags" that we always find Cannero and Cannobio, but also in other small characteristic villages, rich in typicality in the hinterland, especially in Verbano, such as Mergozzo, Vogogna , Santa Maria Maggiore, Macugnana and Malesco (even if in the Ossola valleys). It is good to remember that the Orange flag is awarded after a careful evaluation - by the Italian Touring Club - of over 250 different indicators and coefficients, to ensure that reception parameters, accommodation and complementary services are determined, as well as the surrounding environment. and the construction features of the ancient localities. Among the towns in clear tourist and attractive growth we must mention one, small in size and inhabitants but large in initiatives, located on the Piedmontese shore of the lake, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola: Belgirate. With its 537 inhabitants, Belgirate - during 2018 - according to the latest data expressed the best performance in tourist growth with + 18.7% of presences, positioned in fourth place for the increase in tourists only after Stresa, Baveno and Cannero Riviera. And always speaking of Belgirate we must highlight how the municipal council is working hard to better prepare for the tourist season now upon us with classical and modern music events, in dreamy places surrounded by flowers. Among all we remember an evening dedicated to two giants of music, such as Lucio Dalla and Lucio Battisti, but also culinary events and cultural events. In short, Belgirate is a small town, but with great inventiveness to attract Italian and international tourist friends, who already in these first days of spring are returning to "live and breathe" the healthy air and the unique microclimate of these parts.