In the end the bad weather, looming as in the rest of the region, did not spoil the celebration on the Island of the Sun, in name and in fact even today. With the accompaniment of the Grado Civic Band, the 2024 bathing season of the Git (Grado spa tourist facilities) was inaugurated without a hitch this afternoon. A season which, if in line with the previous one, can only give rise to hope.
In fact, the data published by Aries on behalf of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce recorded last year, with 1,425,000 presences, an overall growth in tourists of 9.4%. «Of these – stated the regional councilor for Tourism Sergio Emidio Bini – the increase of both foreign tourists and Italian tourists was 10%: this is why the Region considers Grado the jewel in the crown of the tourist offer of the Friuli Venezia Giulia”.
The climate challenge
All this, despite the considerable difficulties that have been affecting the island in recent times. She was reminded by Augusto Viola, Grado commissioner appointed by the Region last September, following the resignation of the centre-right council led by the then mayor Claudio Kovatsch: «Since I have been at the helm of the city, we have faced storms and high water which have required, in a month and a half, the use of resources and means barely sufficient to be ready for the new summer season”. For the commissioner, “a process that sees the Region engaged in a multi-year project for Grado is increasingly necessary: the climate has changed and the island is increasingly fragile”.
The other issues
«Grado cannot live only in summer», continues Viola, according to whom it is essential to enhance autumn and winter as well. «The reasons that attract tourists to Grado are linked to the richness of the historical, artistic, cultural, environmental and naturalistic heritage, the beaches and the local food and wine». In this vision, “spas, sport and culture are cards to play”.
The theme of agricultural products from the hinterland also needs to be developed. «The “Mare Tiaris” project, which links the hotel system with agricultural production, is a good sign, in view of a harmonious and integrated development of the territory».
Viola also then stated that he had started the selective procedures for the new beach concessions: «An important game to be experienced with sagacity and entrepreneurship». An argument also taken up by the Deputy Minister of the Environment Vania Gava: «We continue to work in the government to find the right interlocution, in Europe, so that concessions are given to those who have worked on these coasts over the years».
The news of the season
The president of Git himself, Roberto Marin, is very satisfied with the start of the season: «In sixteen days, online bookings, thanks to the new system introduced, were 50% higher than last year». The beach, Marin always explains, will present itself to sunbathers almost entirely renovated, with a single imperial beach, from Settimo Cielo to the Antiche Terme restaurant: «It will be a large “white beach” with white umbrellas and sunbeds surrounded by gray pearl”.
There will also be a new suite department, made up of 15 exclusive positions, with double sunbeds and imitation leather mattresses, larger and revolving umbrellas and additional services at the same price as the Sissi department – new last year – and Seventh Heaven. To meet the high demand for holidays, the smart-beach departments have been increased from one to three and expanded in terms of equipment. They will have a single rate of 15 euros on weekdays, including entry and almost all renovated equipment, and 17 euros on weekends: «A smart price, that is, cheaper, more competitive, but still with high quality services», so the president of Git.
A further novelty will be the Rosa department, near the Marine Baths, in collaboration with Airc. «It is a department with a high social value – states Marin – characterized by the presence of information on cancer prevention and research. Many of the activities will be aimed at preventing and understanding the problem and part of the proceeds from this department will be donated to research at the end of the season.”
Finally, this year there will be information desks in the city no longer just on Aquileiabut also on all the other UNESCO sites in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The inauguration
Today’s inauguration was attended by numerous civil and religious authorities. Also in the audience was the Austrian (naturalized Slovenian) Udinese midfielder Sandi Lovrić. After the blessing given by Monsignor Paolo Nutarelli and the interventions of the authorities, there was the traditional flag raising to the tune of the Mameli anthem. Subsequently, the “Pop art” exhibition was also inaugurated at the Marine Baths.
Photo Tibaldi
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