Beach vacation in Italy: prices are skyrocketing – what to do?

Beach vacation in Italy: prices are skyrocketing – what to do?

Beach holidays in Italy are booming, but the high costs and the persistent pace of inflation are increasingly putting a strain on holidaymakers. Loud vienna.at This year, almost 30 million Italians and numerous international tourists chose the Mediterranean coastal state as their holiday destination. In particular, the beach of Capocotta, a nature reserve south of Rome, is a popular destination for younger people who cannot pay the prices of the classic beach resorts.

Traditionally, most beach holidaymakers rent loungers and parasols in the so-called “stabilimenti balneari”. However, this is made more difficult by inflationary price increases. While before the pandemic you had to pay less than 10 euros per day for a basic set of two loungers and a parasol, current prices are between 30 and 100 euros. The consumer organization “Altroconsumo” has found that the price range varies greatly in 213 beach resorts and the average weekly price for a beach spot has increased from 182 euros in 2021 to 212 euros this year.

Prices continue to rise

A current study by the consumer association Altroconsumo shows that holidaymakers will also have to expect higher prices in 2024. The average price increase compared to the previous year is almost four percent. In sought-after locations, such as Alassio, prices for a front row seat can be up to 340 euros per week, while Rimini remains the cheapest option at an average of 150 euros.

A year earlier, prices rose by 5 percent and in 2022 even by 10 percent. The price situation is further influenced by a few influential families who control the beach operations and make huge profits. Loud Mercury There are also repeated protests and strikes, known as “umbrella strikes”, as operators and holidaymakers push for clarification on the awarding of licenses.

The role of beach concessions

The beach concession system also represents a major problem for holidaymakers. Only a few beach areas are free of lounger areas. The EU is calling for beach concessions to be awarded transparently by 2024 in order to improve the situation and promote competition. However, the Italian government remains vague in its position and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out against pan-European tenders. These uncertainties mean that many operators continue to operate with expired licenses.

The total cost of a day at the beach, including additional fees for showers and changing rooms, can be significant for vacationers and put a big dent in vacation budgets. The results of Altroconsumo's surveys clearly show that structural reform is necessary to ensure fair access to beaches and reduce prices.

So the Italian beach holiday remains a double-edged sword – a popular destination for millions of nature lovers, but one fraught with high costs and conflict.