Diego Minonzio, of proud origins from Lecco and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper “La Provincia” since 2011, was the guest at the dinner meeting on May 11th at the Serre di Villa del Grumello, which welcomed us on a evening of torrential rain.
He offered us not so much a formal report, but a series of reflections on themes related to our territory. In particular, the tourism boom: is there an entrepreneurial strategy behind this? There is a strong doubt that everything is happening more by chance than through planning, as has occurred in Emilia Romagna—where the model is based on what you are and what you want to do—or in Liguria, where the model is “predatory, with structural exploitation of the tourist.” To support the enormous flow, we lack infrastructure: the Via Regina is always congested, ferries are insufficient, and taxis cannot be found; yet, 5-star hotels are increasing, and one wonders if the paying tourist is satisfied with the lack of services. The risk could be that, in the long run, the tourism bubble will burst. Furthermore, high costs impact the pockets of citizens who, instead, would like a city tailored to their needs as well. The emptying of the historic center, the university campus lost amidst the city’s silence, and the passive acceptance of the flood barrier affair! It is necessary to become aware of what is wanted and what must be done, and in this, service clubs can also make their contribution. Reflections on the speaker’s presentation by several members then concluded the evening.
L.F.
