This image may make it seem like everything is bliss, but it makes the locals furious. And it’s a sign of how travel in Europe is about to change.
But alongside the increase in sun-kissed snaps filling our social media feeds, there are growing concerns that large numbers of tourists will once again be welcomed at the expense of locals and the environment.
On the Greek island of Paros, locals are fighting to “reclaim” their beaches, with the expensive lounge chairs and umbrellas marketed to tourists taking up space they used to lay out their free towels.
Frustrated residents are demanding a crackdown on beachfront businesses they say are extending loungers beyond designated areas for which they hold licenses.
Residents of the Greek island of Paros are fighting to reclaim free beach space with expensive lounge chairs and umbrellas marketed to sand-hogging tourists. Photo: istock
It’s also a frustration for some tourists, who don’t want to pay exorbitant fees to use the beaches.
This summer, on Kolymbithres beach, one of Paros’ most famous Australian journalists, Melissa Iaria, found a deckchair for what she thought was 7 euros ($12) before discovering that it was reality of 70 euros (116 dollars).
In an article for Escapeshe spoke of Greek Australians shocked by the large number of deckchairs and umbrellas “cluttering” the beaches.
Zoe, a young woman living in Paros, who was protesting with her family, explained: “Our concern is that people no longer have the choice to enjoy many beaches without paying the high price, because there is no space which is not occupied by chairs.”
The Save Paros Beaches group was founded this year to demand change. Photo: Save the beaches of Paros/Facebook
Nicolas Stephanou, a local resident participating in the campaign, said BBC that Greece needed a more sustainable tourism strategy because, in addition to the beach problem, traffic and prices were “out of control”, with locals unable to afford to go to a bar or restaurant.
He wants Greece’s Cycladic islands to stop being marketed as a luxury destination and return to their roots.
“There is incredible history here, archaeological sites, walking trails, good wine and agricultural products,” he said.
“This may attract a more responsible visitor than one who just wants to sit on a lounge chair with a cocktail.”
The campaign, nicknamed “Towel Movement” or “Beach Towel Revolt,” is not limited to Paros. This also happens in other Greek islands.
As the movement spread, the authorities responded by sending inspectors to carry out checks.
Sara King, managing director of Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel, told news.com.au that with tourism figures returning to pre-Covid levels, many people across Europe were taking action in hand.
“The cessation of tourism has definitely allowed local residents to enjoy quieter, less busy streets and cleaner environments, allowing them to realize what they were missing,” she said.
“It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of tourism in local communities and the potential for more sustainable and responsible practices.”
Some beachfront businesses charge tourists more than $100 to use a lounge. Photo: Alamy
Ms King said it was no surprise that people in Greece were drawing attention to the negative impacts of overtourism, with the Greek National Tourism Board already last year urging international travelers to explore the country at beyond the popular islands.
Greece is not the only European country where residents are fighting for beaches.
In Benidorm, on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, locals made international headlines in July after they were photographed setting up their beach chairs and umbrellas before dawn to chase tourists to the best locations.
Ms King said the changes we are seeing in Europe to tackle overtourism, such as the introduction of fees and visitor caps in hotspots, are examples of wider trends we can expect to see in the future. ‘future.
“These actions reflect the growing awareness of the challenges associated with mass tourism and the need for more responsible and sustainable practices,” she said.
Australian travelers are encouraged to visit lesser-known destinations when they can.
“It is important that tourists recognize the impacts of overtourism on local communities and how they can make the most of exploring less popular places,” Ms King said.
“Rather than visiting popular destinations like Santorini, travelers can opt for destinations like Naxos, where they will be treated to unspoilt beaches and charming villages.”
Intrepid takes about 300,000 people on about 1,000 trips a year to more than 120 countries, where groups of about 10 people travel with a local leader.
About 40 percent of these travelers are Australians, followed by Britons and Americans.
Even a heatwave did not stop the influx of tourists to Athens’ Acropolis in July, with the Greek government introducing visitor caps in September. Photo: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
On the Greek mainland, the government introduced a new rule earlier this month cap the number of visitors to the Acropolis in Athens.
The famous attraction now only allows a maximum of 20,000 people per day.
Up to 23,000 people gathered at the hilltop attraction, raising security concerns for both the monument and crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of it.
“It’s a huge figure,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. “Obviously, tourism is desirable for the country, for all of us. But we must ensure that excessive tourism does not harm the monument.”
Visitor entry is staggered throughout the day to ensure overcrowding is not an issue.
Also this month, another European tourist hotspot made a big call for a proposal it had debated for years due to overtourism.
Venice in Italy will be judged charging day-trippers 5 euros ($8) to visit from spring 2024.
Venice will charge an entrance fee next year to combat overtourism. Photo: Getty Images
The council’s executive backed the move just weeks after the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, recommended that the historic city be added to its list of World Heritage in Danger, partly because of impact of mass tourism.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro insisted Venice remained “open to all”.
He added: “Regulating tourist flows during certain periods is necessary, but that does not mean closing the city. »
The city has not yet revealed how many tickets will be sold each day, meaning some tourists could be refused entry.
