🔹 Hello, Lake Como.

Congrats to Como 1907! The city is buzzing after that historic leap into the Coppa Italia Semi-Finals (the first one in 40 years?).

Between the Winter Olympics, Carnival, Valentine’s, and two fresh openings (see ICYMI), this is the most electric February on record.
Bonus: Air transport strikes are suspended for the Games, so it's smooth flying for now.

It’s a lot to track - let’s dive in.

-Simona

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🔦 Spotlight: Tourism Keeps Rising

What's Happening:

Italy has officially solidified its position as the most desired destination for 2026, capturing 13.4% of all total travel intent in Europe. The sector’s impact on national GDP has hit €237.4 billion, with international arrivals forecasted to grow by 1.9% this year to reach 107.74 million.

Facts:

  • Spending Power: International tourist spending is beating "record after record," with the luxury segment projected to generate outsized value as affluent travelers stay longer and spend more.

  • Lakeside Luxe: Bookings for Lake Como rose by 17.1% this year, while Lake Garda jumped 42.5%.

  • The "Olympic" Multiplier: The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics is generating up to €5.3 billion in economic benefits, attracting a high-purchasing-power audience through February.

  • Sustainable Mandate: 93% of travelers in Italy now consider sustainability a necessity, driving demand for eco-certified properties and intentional travel.

What does it mean for us:

  • Quality over Quantity: The days of "mass tourism" are fading for Lake Como. The new goal is to attract fewer, but wealthier, visitors who stay longer and spend more at local businesses.

  • The Olympic Boost: With Milan hitting full capacity for the 2026 Games, Como is the go-to "luxury overflow". Local home renters, did you notice an overflow this month?

  • The Scarcity Win: You can't build more lakefront. Because supply is capped and global demand is at an all-time high, your property is essentially a "limited edition" asset that holds its value.

  • Goodbye, Seasonality: Between the Olympics and new year-round luxury resorts, the "winter ghost town" era is potentially ending. Are we moving toward a 12-month economy? Numbers say yes.

What's your take? Are we missing anything important?

⭐ In Case You Missed It

Openings

  • 🏨 San Gottardo Returns. After nearly 40 years, the historic Hotel San Gottardo has officially reopened as a Radisson Collection hotel.

  • 🍕 Sardinian Slice. Pigis Pizza has landed on via Milano, introducing authentic Sardinian "wallet-style" pizza.

🏗️ Local Projects & Life

  • 👟 Club Couture. Football meets the street as Como 1907 partners with Adidas for a limited-edition Handball Spezial sneaker.

  • 🧥 Brazil’s Larian Look. Lake Como local Remo Ruffini and Moncler have designed the official Olympic uniforms for Brazil.

💰 Real Estate & Business

  • 📊 The Effort Gap. New data shows that renting in Italy now demands 28% of household income, while buying with a mortgage takes only 18%.

  • 🔮 Pre-Season Predictions. Experts are weighing in on the 2026 real estate market, forecasting a strategic window for buyers as interest rates and supply begin to shift.

  • 📝 Tax Watch 2026. A breakdown of the new Italian tax return regulations is out.

🌍 Tourism & Global Mentions

  • 🏆 Vogue’s Gold Standard. Vogue has updated its definitive guide to the lake’s best hotels, cementing Como’s status as the ultimate strategic front for international luxury groups.

  • 📍 The Airbnb Edit. Looking for private villa vibes? Vogue also spotlights the top-tier Airbnb stays that are defining "lake life" for the 2026 season.

📱Trending this week:
Javier Zanetti announced to the world that he lives in Como

Instagram post

🏠 Real Estate

🏡 3 Room Renovated Villa, Nesso ($$): €540K · 122m² ·

Lake views, 5 meters from the lake, 2 floors, energy efficiency: B.
View

🏡 3 Bedroom Apartment, Carate Urio ($$): €900K · 185m² ·

The recently renovated lakeside house with garden and lake view. 2 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.
View

🏡 4 Room Apartment, Como ($$): €990M· 163m² ·

City and lake views. Double garage, 2 bathrooms.
View

🏢 Businesses for Sale

  • 🏢 Office for auction in Via Milano, Como. €171K · 166 m² . Energy efficiency: D, parking spot included, date of sale 3/18/26.
    View

  • 🍕Modern restaurant/bar for transfer, Como. €110K · 49 m² · Rent - 4166 Eur/month. In the historical center of Como, arranged on two levels, the property was entirely renovated at the end of 2024.
    View

  • 🚗 Car Wash for transfer, Lecco. €350K · 1700 m² · Rent - 3400 Eur/month. Approximately 20,000 cars are washed per year. Price recently reduced.
    View

💼 Job Opportunities

  • 🏨 Deputy Director/ Resident Manager: Bellagio Belvedere (Bellagio). Primary responsibility - ensure the daily operation of the hotel.
    Apply

  • 🌌 CTO: Aerospace & GeoAI (Como). European deep-tech startup building stratospheric aerospace platforms.
    Apply

  • 🥂 Marketing Assistant: Spuma (Carate Urio). A catering studio that is behind some of the most recognised Lake Como events.
    Apply


Have a property, business, or job to feature? Submit it here

📅 Events This Week
Lake Como Events – This Week
Legend: 🏛 Culture · 🎭 Theatre · 🎶 Music · 💼 Business · 🎉 Carnival
Saturday, February 14
Oratorio di Rovenna, Cernobbio · 14:30–17:30
Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio
Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio
Teatro Sociale di Como · 16:00 & 20:30
Laghetto, Colico · From 14:30
Sunday, February 15
Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina · 10:30
Sala Bianca, Teatro Sociale · 11:00
Laghetto, Colico · Parade 14:00
Tuesday, February 17
Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina · 14:30
Teatro Sociale di Como · 20:30
Wednesday, February 18
Villa Erba, Cernobbio · 14:00–18:00
Teatro Sociale di Como · 20:30

That’s all for this week!
If you found something interesting, make sure to forward this email to your curious friends.

Have something to share? Hit the reply button - I personally reply to all the emails.

- Simona

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