The scandal unfolds in the Italian resort region of Apulia. Tourists began to be prohibited from bringing food onto the beach, and some picnickers complained of direct threats. They demand from tourists: “Pay money or get out.”
As La Repubblica explains, in Italy we are talking about private beaches. At the same time, many beaches in the country are owned by hotels, bars, and restaurants. As a result, the owners not only charge tourists for renting umbrellas and sunbeds but also try to “squeeze” extra money from them for food.
Some, in their desire to encourage tourists to spend money in their beach bars, have reached the edge. At least three families complained that they were “intimidated by private beach staff” after trying to eat their food at a popular beach in Torre Lapillo.
“They were hinted at,” the tourists told the publication. At the same time, the victims were three families with children, but this did not stop anyone. “When we reached the Ionian port and opened the food bags, we were approached and threatened,” they complained.
Where the tourists were from is not specified, but even the local population is already “angry” about the prices of the beaches and such a policy, said Dario Dusso. “They have no right to introduce such bans. They have no authority. This season it is too late because with our bureaucracy we will not have time to intervene in time, but next season we intend to fight and educate tourists about their rights. No one has the right to deny access to public property to swimmers with their food.”
For now, tourists are being warned that the rules about what food and drink holidaymakers can bring onto Italian beaches vary from beach to beach. Therefore, to save your nerves, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with them before the trip.