In this region under the High Tatras, the Italians appreciated its national parks and spa tourism. They expect that the clean, untarnished nature and enticing mountains could attract Italian tourists.The mayor of Poprad, Jozef Švagerko, was meeting the Italians for a second time after he had recently visited Bassano to help win over investors as well as tourists.
Luca Calzolari of the Alpina Italiano Mountain Club was one of those to explore the untapped possibilities in March. “In your region, I see big potential for tourism development – there is clean nature here and mountains that have enthralled me,” he stated, as quoted by the SITA newswire. “I see a concrete opportunity for cooperation, in creating specific packages of offers for Italian visitors who could fly into the Poprad airport and then travel around – for example on an electric train.”
Poprad’s mayor had already mentioned the possibility of a flight connection between Poprad and Italy; currently, the cities of Treviso and Bologna are mentioned. This could prove useful also during the annual summer festival of Italian culture in Poprad, called Viva Italia, that presents Italian culture and products.
“[In spa tourism]... you are much more progressed than Italy,” Calzolari added. “Not just in healing treatments, but also in wellness, relaxation and adventure stays.”
“For me, the deepest impression is that the spa and relaxation industry is of interest to Italy,” Švagerko said. “The city of Poprad should be a sort of base camp for the whole region where visitors would arrive and return while starting their hiking in the Tatras, Pieniny or Slovenský raj. The Italians found culture here but also sport and leisure,” the mayor concluded.
