Major crackdown on European beaches with more than $566k in fines issued
Responding to concerns from locals, Greek authorities are making moves against overcrowding at popular tourist beaches.
Another popular travel destination has succumbed to pressure from locals who've complained of overcrowding as skyrocketing rates of international tourism continue to put pressure on local amenities and businesses.
Greek authorities recently announced a crackdown at tourist hotspots such as Corfu, Rhodes, Chalkidiki peninsula, and Attica — the region around Athens — with locals expressing frustration over overcrowded beaches, with sunbeds or rental chairs often covering every inch of sand.
Campaigners have long complained about high prices and a lack of access to the beaches for locals. While it does vary, the cost to hire a sunbed can be up to A$166 (€100) depending on the island.
More than $566k in fines issued over five days
A record-breaking 33 million people visited Greece last year, five million more than in 2022, it's been reported.
The issue however is with restaurants, bars and rental companies offering sunbeds as beach seating to customers without a permit, leaving little room for locals. Earlier this month, local news outlets reported over 1,000 complaints were received resulting in over A$566,000 (€350k) in violation fines being issued in just five days.
"Our goal is to protect, on the one hand, both the environment and the citizens’ right to free access to the beach, and on the other hand, to preserve our tourist product as well as the healthy entrepreneurship represented by business people who do the job right," Greek Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, said recently.
New rules to protect Greek beaches
By law, beaches in Greece must now be 70 per cent sunbed-free, or 85 per cent for those in protected areas, where construction is now strictly limited.
Under new rules introduced in March, umbrellas and deck chairs must be at least four metres from the shoreline and no chair rentals are allowed on smaller beaches with less than four metres of sand. However many businesses haven't obliged.
Drones will now be used to monitor beach usage, as well as the installation of an electronic reporting system so people can highlight violations. Residents will also be able to report wrongdoing via an app.
Aussie’s warning to tourists as locals in Spanish city hit ‘breaking point’
Aussie favourite travel destination to introduce new tourist tax
European hotspots cracking down on tourists
The move in Greece follows the likes of neighbouring European countries including Spain, Italy and Denmark with authorities from each country recently announcing major moves to help control the influx of tourists.
In Venice, Italy day visitors were subject to a trial where they paid an $8 entry fee during peak hours in a bid to preserve the city from overcrowding. While in Barcelona, Spain thousands took to the streets in protest of mass tourism, saying it had worsened their quality of life.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, authorities are taking a very different approach. They're now offering incentives to travellers that help sustain the city and its environment through a bold new rewards program. Bali, Indonesia has been on a mission to control unruly tourists, and earlier this year introduced a new tax on arrival for travellers.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
