As of: February 21, 2024, 5:23 a.m
By: Sandra Sporer
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Press
Split
The beach in the municipality of Sestri Levante is a tourist magnet.
In order to cope with the rush, admission is now required.
But not everyone has to pay.
Sestri Levante – Millions of tourists flock to Italy every year.
Some come for the numerous sights, such as the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.
Others just want to soak up some sun and enjoy
la dolce vita
(the beautiful life).
However, the rush is becoming more and more of a problem for the tourist hotspots.
Tourists sometimes literally clog up the narrow streets of the old towns and do not always behave considerately.
For example, a vacationer carved his girlfriend's name into a wall of the Colosseum.
More and more places are therefore taking measures to curb the flow of tourists.
This also includes charging entry to popular beaches.
Popular holiday resort in Liguria charges five euros entrance fee for the beach
The municipality of Sestri Levante in Liguria is now also introducing this model.
The place attracts visitors - and quite a few of them - primarily because of the beautiful sandy beach of the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence).
Francesco Solinas, the mayor of the town, therefore made a proposal to the beach concession holders to charge a beach fee of five euros for tourists in the summer, as the Italian news agency
Ansa
reports.
The Bay of Silence in Sestri Levante offers a wonderful sandy beach that attracts many tourists.
However, it becomes too much for the community.
© Pond5 Images/IMAGO
In addition, the measure is intended to cap the number of visitors.
There should be no more than 400 guests on the beach.
Locals can still use the beach for free.
Admission is also free for children.
Income from the beach fee is intended to benefit the preservation and safety of the beach
The money raised through the beach fee should benefit the community and tourists alike.
“The proceeds from the entrance fees are used to ensure all services, including the costs of security, lifeguards and beach cleaning,”
travelnews.ch
quotes Mayor Solinas.
By introducing a beach entrance fee, the municipality of Sestri Levante is joining a growing trend.
In 2024, vacationers in Italy will have to pay for a relaxing day on the beach in many places.
The Italian tourism minister is calling for tougher penalties for holidaymakers who behave disrespectfully.
(
sp
)