Italians turn away from private beaches amid debate over rising prices | Italy

Italians seem to be blocking beaches this summer because they claim to rebel against high prices collected by their owners of private beach concessions.

Going to the beach and renting sun loungers – usually in the same place – italian summer holiday culture has been a rooted habit.

However, this year’s season, Italy’s two long coastal strips of private holiday villages, in June and July, 15% to 25% decreased after a decrease in the same period, compared to the same period in 2024 began with a significant decrease in the number of beachgoer.

The problem is not the weekend when the beach holiday villages are frequently blocked, especially during the week, especially those close to cities like Rome. Those who go spend less for food and drink.

Assobalneari Italia President Fabrizio Licorari, an association representing the beach clubs, accused the decline on the high cost of life and its results on expenditure power.

“Even with two salaries, many families are struggling to reach the end of the month,” ANSA said. “In such cases, it is natural that the first expenses to be deducted are for leisure, entertainment and holidays.”

However, the decline in participation, the increases in the cost of private beach holiday villages and the increasing rebellion against the dominance of the Italian coast, which leaves very little space for free beaches.

The cost of a Sunlounger rental is a repetitive issue of debate, and rightly – on average, this week costs 17% more than four years ago compared to figures from Altroconsumo. For example, in the beaches in the Lazio region, it is difficult to rent less sunbeds and umbrellas than 30 € (£ 26) per day. This rises to about 90 € in the popular Gallipoli holiday resort in Puglia.

Actor Alessandro Gassmann, after sharing a photo of a beach with abandoned sunbeds, stocks the discussion On Instagram page And I write next to him: “I read that the season is not going well. Maybe the prices are exaggerated and forcing the Italians of the country’s economic situation to choose free beaches?

The Italian Beach Resorts Federation FIBA President Maurizio Rustignnoli argued that high price increases reports were “misleading ve and that they were only a small percentage where they took place. He added that people benefit from services, including security and lifeguard control.

However, the Consumer Association Codacons said that going to the beach holiday resorts have become a “evacuation ve and accused the privilege owners of“ pouring tears ”.

The beaches may be losing their tradition, but the areas in the mountains, especially in Dolomites, had a significant increase in the number of visitors, and some areas are afraid of excessive excess. According to a report in the newspaper this week ILSSAGEROIn part, as a way to escape from warmer summers, which is caused by the climate crisis, it enters the mountains for more Italian holidays.