Lake Constance: Boat rental companies are fighting against bad reviews and frustration!

Lake Constance: Boat rental companies are fighting against bad reviews and frustration!

There is an idyllic holiday landscape on the Bregenz lakeshore, but behind the scenes of the boat rental there is dissatisfaction. Complaints and unfair Google reviews are putting a strain on providers on Lake Constance, where thousands of visitors come to enjoy maritime leisure activities every year. Loud vol.at Many landlords report negative online reviews that do not correspond to reality. In Lindau, for example, the unfriendly staff and dilapidated boats are often criticized, which is reflected in a disappointing average rating of just two stars.

The picture is similar in Bregenz, where boat rental companies complain about deficiencies in service. There is often a lack of both shade options and the option to pay by card, and guests often react with a harsh tone. Due to low water, only pedal boats are currently available, which makes the situation even more difficult. A boat rental company in Bregenz expresses frustration over misunderstandings with guests who display inappropriate behavior on the water.

Economic challenges

The Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce has recognized the problem and advises providers to contact the platforms directly to have unfair reviews deleted. If this is not possible, an injunction can even be filed. Daniela Vonbun-Häusle from the Chamber of Commerce recommends answering reviews objectively in order to address misunderstandings. Despite the efforts, frustration over unjustified reviews remains as they shape the public image of boat rental companies on Lake Constance.

However, the providers are an important pillar of summer romance on Lake Constance. In addition to boat rentals, the wide range of rental options also appeals to a variety of water tourists. The company SamBoat offers a wide range of boats, from pedal boats to motor and sailing boats, with prices starting at 50 euros per day. Lake Constance, the largest inland body of water in Germany and the third largest in Europe, attracts numerous guests every year.

Tourism on Lake Constance

Tourism is a significant economic factor for the region, as data from statistic-bodensee.org show. In 2023, around 22 million overnight stays were counted in the Lake Constance region, an increase of 8 percent compared to the previous year and exceeding the overnight stay level from 2019. The overnight stays are spread across different regions: 38 percent are in the German districts, while 38 percent are in Switzerland and 24 percent in Vorarlberg in Austria.

The average length of stay for guests in 2023 was 2.4 days, with visitors staying the longest in Vorarlberg. The increasing interest in Lake Constance is also reflected in the wide range of leisure activities, which include not only boat rentals, but also cultural excursions to sights such as the flower island of Mainau and the island of Reichenau.