Sunday, April 13, 2025, marked the debut of the Regional Day of River Tourism, an initiative promoted by the Veneto Region through Regional Law No. 5/2024 and organized in collaboration with UNPLI Veneto. The official opening ceremony was hosted at Villa Badoer, a stunning Palladian villa in Fratta Polesine.
This first edition aimed to shine a spotlight on a different kind of tourism—slower, more sustainable, and deeply rooted in the rivers that flow through the region. A journey through Veneto’s history, nature, and culture, the event featured 10 waterways, 16 local activities, and participation from all 7 provinces of the region, with a rich program of excursions, guided tours, sports activities, and cultural events.
All of this was made possible thanks to the dedication and passion of the Pro Loco associations of Veneto, which turned the day into a widespread community celebration, officially launching river tourism as a new regional tourism offering.
Despite a few drops of rain, the atmosphere was festive and engaging. A special highlight of the day was the first performance of an original musical composition dedicated to river navigation, underscoring the strong connection between the territory and its cultural expressions.
During the inauguration, Regional Tourism Councillor Federico Caner expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the initiative, especially to Councillor Laura Cestari for her pivotal role, and to UNPLI Veneto, represented by President Rino Furlan:
“Our region is full of beauty. Before looking abroad for travel experiences, I invite everyone to rediscover Veneto—you won’t be disappointed. River tourism gives us new tools to enhance lesser-known areas, such as Polesine, which deserve much more attention. Thanks to this law and the 500 kilometers of navigable waterways, we now have a real opportunity to expand our tourism offering. But we also need local communities and entrepreneurs to believe in this. Without local commitment, we won’t go far.”
UNPLI Veneto President Rino Furlan also highlighted the significance of the day for the network of Pro Loco associations and for promoting Veneto’s cultural and environmental heritage:
“This project had been on hold for some time, and thanks to the efforts of Councillor Cestari and the support of Councillor Caner, we’re finally seeing it come to life. Our goal is to build a true geolocated network that helps tourists discover the natural and architectural wonders of our region from a unique point of view: the water. River tourism is slow tourism—it encourages people to stop, observe, and listen. It’s an authentic experience that allows visitors to rediscover Veneto in all its richness.”
Promoting river tourism also means focusing on a sustainable tourism model, where the appeal lies in the landscape, heritage, culture, local traditions, and food and wine of the riverside communities.
The day continued across the entire region with a variety of events, all showcasing the beauty of slow tourism, paced by the gentle flow of the rivers that weave their way through the Veneto region.
