Bottles with air of Como Island (3 photos)

One bottle costs about 10 dollars.





The creation of the "Como air bottle" is the initiative of marketer David Abagnale. The idea is aimed at "creating a souvenir that tourists can easily carry in their suitcases," ItalyComunica reported, specifying that they wanted to come up with "something original, fun and even provocative."

In an interview with CNN, Abagnale explains how the bottle can be used again: when tourists return home and open the can, they can use it as a souvenir pen holder.



The marketing ploy was praised by Como Mayor Alessandro Rapinese. The mayor prefers that tourists take home other souvenirs, such as silk scarves, for which the region is famous. However, he adds: “As the mayor of one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, I have to say that if someone wants to take home a little air, that’s fine. As long as they also take home beautiful memories of this place.”

According to the Lombardy Tourism Office, Lake Como was visited by more than 5.6 million people in 2023.

But Como is not the first Italian tourist destination to offer a can of air as a souvenir. Abagnale says that Naples, for example, has been selling such souvenirs for several years.

In 2020, bottles of local air began to be sold in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to give British residents abroad the scent of home.