Completely overcrowded beaches and rubbish everywhere: now more and more seaside resorts in Italy are enough. In Sardinia they even introduce a reservation obligation via app and a towel ban. What other restrictions holidaymakers can expect.
Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations for Austrians. No wonder then that more and more regions are struggling with huge tourist flows. This leads to crowds on the beaches – and also a lot of waste. Sun-seeking holidaymakers come across plastic literally everywhere. In its report this year, the Italian environmental organization Legambiente counted 961 pieces of litter per 100 meters of beach – and 72.5 percent of that is plastic.
Some destinations have now had enough – for example Sardinia: they have put an end to the crowds of visitors and have issued strict rules. This includes a visitor limit. So if you want to visit a beach from now on, you have to register via the app and reserve places.
Four beaches have been affected in Sardinia: in the bays of Cala dei Gabbiani and Cala Biriala only 300 people are allowed per day, in the bay of Goloritze 250. The largest beach in the region is Cala Mariolu, where only 700 people enjoy the Mediterranean Sea Sea may. Tourists must reserve their spot on the beach via an app at least 72 hours in advance. The fee to be paid is intended to finance the maintenance of the infrastructure around the beaches.
Entrance fee to visit the beach
One beach particularly affected by tourist crowds is La Pelosa in Stintino on Sardinia’s northern coast. “We have limited the number of tourists to 1,500 per day, entry costs 3.50 euros,” reveals Mayor Rita Vallebella. In addition, there is a strict ban on bath towels, which otherwise lie close together. “We lost so much sand because of the beach towels,” explains Vallebella. “They’re wet and all the sand is sticking to them.” The fines for towel sinners should start at 100 euros. You can save yourself quite easily: with mats. Only they are still allowed – and now they sell even better!
“We simply can no longer afford thousands of bathers crowding onto a beach as before,” said Stefano Monni, mayor of Baunei in the east of the holiday island. “It’s not sustainable.” He is confident that access to the bays on land will be largely controlled. However, the mayor is also aware that the area is also home to many private inflatables, yachts and canoes from nearby towns. Here Monni mainly wants to work with authorized tour operators.
Ban on mats, mopeds and cars
And also in Sicily, the island of Lampedusa has introduced restrictions – and rightly so: with its clear blue waters, the beach of Isola dei Conigli has been repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. According to city councilor Totò Martello, this in turn led to more than 1,500 people making a pilgrimage to the beach every day. “We have now halved that number with the sale of reservations; up to 350 people in the morning and another 350 in the afternoon,” says Martello.
In addition, sun loungers and inflatable water mats are prohibited and noise pollution must be kept to a minimum. Anyone who does not comply will pay a fine. A ban on tourists coming by car and scooter is also planned in the future – at least for 40 days in high season.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
