Greece enacts strict rules to combat beach crowding

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

In a decisive move to alleviate overcrowding on its beaches, Greece has announced the implementation of stringent regulations for tourism operators, aimed at preserving the quality of beach experiences for visitors and locals alike. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, utilizing the social platform TikTok for his announcement, introduced a set of rules designed to ensure more open space and accessibility along Greece’s famed coastlines.

A key component of these new regulations mandates that 70% of beach areas remain free of sunbeds, a figure that increases to 85% in environmentally protected zones. Certain beaches will be designated as completely “untouchable,” prohibiting the placement of sunbeds entirely. Furthermore, to enhance accessibility to the sea, a minimum distance of four meters between sunbeds and the water’s edge will be required.

Addressing concerns over exclusivity and high fees, the legislation stipulates that at least half of all sunbeds must be available to the general public, preventing hotels and bars from monopolizing these amenities. This move comes as a response to widespread complaints regarding excessive sunbed occupation and high rental prices, which have historically limited public access to beach spaces.

To ensure compliance with these regulations, Greece plans to employ drone technology alongside an electronic reporting system, enabling individuals to report any infringements directly.

The issue of regulating beach use is not unique to Greece; other popular European destinations are adopting similar measures. For example, Benidorm, Spain, has introduced fines of up to $2000 for tourists swimming or sleeping on the beach between midnight and 7am. Additionally, the resort city has outlined penalties for various other beach-related infractions, including smoking, ignoring safety flags, and constructing large sand sculptures.

In Portugal, the use of portable speakers on beaches could result in fines reaching $59,000, demonstrating a significant crackdown on disruptive behavior. Moreover, tourists are prohibited from visiting the iconic Spiaggia Rosa beach in Sardinia, Italy, as part of efforts to protect its natural beauty.

These initiatives across Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Italy reflect a growing trend toward enhancing the sustainability and enjoyment of coastal destinations, ensuring they can be enjoyed by future generations.

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