Up to 90 euros per day –
In the sea, a luxury that has become inaccessible for Italians?
Private Italian beaches recorded a drop in their visits these months of June and July.
The Italian private beaches are experiencing an increase in their prices, unacceptable for locals and tourists.
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Colorful striped parasols, aligned as far as the eye can see on golden sand: this snapshot is well known to Italians and tourists who come to spend their summer holidays by the Mediterranean. But this postcard image is more and more out of reach for many premises. In question: the outbreak of the prices of the famous umbrellasthese great parasols typical of private beaches, reports «The Guardian»relying on The Italian press.
Despite the extreme temperatures of this summer, the Italian beaches are experiencing a gloomy season. Basic establishments recorded a drop in attendance of 15 to 25% in June and July, compared to the same period in 2024, according to the British daily.
Exploding prices
The main reason advanced: Price increase. Renting two deckchairs and a parasol costs an average of 17% more than four years ago, according to the association of Altroconsumo consumer. In the Latium region, for example, it is difficult to equip yourself for less than 30 euros per day. And in some very popular seaside resorts, such as Gallipoli, in Puglia, prices can climb up to 90 euros per day.
The situation is all the more delicate since the wage gaps between the north and the south of the country remain important. However, it is precisely in the south that some of the most expensive private beaches are found. “Even with two wages, many families are struggling to get out of it. It is logical that leisure and holidays are the first spending sacrificed, “said Fabrizio Licordari, president of Assobalneari Italia, in the columns of” Guardian “.
Many Italians therefore turn to free beaches, namely public, which are not equipped with parasols or other services. A free alternative, of course, but which requires more organization.
Mountain tourism benefits
Faced with criticism, professionals in the sector go up to the niche. Maurizio Rustignoli, of the Italian federation of seaside resorts, judges the increases in “deceptive” prices and recalls that the prices also include services such as security and monitoring of beaches.
But Codacons, an important Italian consumer defense association, accuses them of showing hypocrisy and denounces a real “financial abyss” for families. The organization even speaks of “crocodile tears” paid by beaches operators, reports “The Guardian”.
Direct consequence of this disaffection: the mountain is gaining ground in the hearts of the Transalpins. According to “The messenger”more and more Italians are turning to the heights, especially the Dolomites, to flee not only the prices of the beaches, but also the increasingly intense heat waves linked to global warming.
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