This beach is on strike: Italy’s beach resorts opened late this morning. The operators are angry with the EU because it wants to enforce more competition in the sunshade and lounger business.
The Belsito lido, located on Ostia beach just a few kilometers from the center of Rome: Each morning, Edoardo Moscara and his team set up around 230 green umbrellas and 700 green and red loungers. They first attend to the small white wooden huts, the volleyball court, and then the bathers.
It is a family business now in its third generation – his children also work at the lido, Moscara explains. However, this may soon come to an end. After a lengthy period of resistance, Italy must implement an EU directive and re-advertise the concessions for the lidos on an international basis.
Until now, these concessions have generally been automatically renewed – often for minimal fees. Many lido operators have invested in “their” lidos for generations, constructing swimming pools or buildings on the site. Now they fear losing everything in the next tender.
“Unable to compete with hotel chains”
“We cannot compete with corporate groups, hotel chains, or anyone in a better economic position. Those who win the concessions but then soon lose them won’t hesitate to spend 500,000, 600,000, or 700,000 euros,” says Edoardo Moscara.
He does not wish to imply that “the underworld, the mafia, or anyone like that” may be interested, but admits that “the risk” is present.
In Ostia, near Rome, the beach temporarily remained closed in the morning.
Environmentalists see opportunity
The beach business is lucrative: for two loungers and a parasol, one can pay 30 euros per day at a beach resort. The newspaper Corriere della Sera estimates that the annual turnover of the entire industry reaches up to 30 billion euros. More than half of Ostia’s beaches are commercially operated, meaning they are beach resorts.
For Sebastiano Venneri of the environmental association Legambiente, this is troubling. He believes at least half of the beaches in each municipality should be freely accessible: “The concerning issue in Ostia is that the entire coastal section of the municipality is occupied by lidos, which even obstruct the view of the sea. Why have the lidos expanded so much? Because the concessions have been automatically renewed year after year.”
Many operators invested in infrastructure such as swimming pools, shops, restaurants, and fitness studios under the assumption that their concessions would be automatically renewed. This not only harms the environment, Venneri argues, but is also inequitable: due to the low costs of the concessions, beach operators gain an advantage over local fitness studio owners.
Venneri views the cessation of these automatic extensions as an opportunity: he hopes that fewer concessions will be awarded for beach resorts and that more areas will be accessible to the public.
The environmentalist believes it is the government’s duty to ensure this happens. He advocates for new tenders to favor environmentally-friendly practices rather than the highest bidders: “The winners should be those who utilize renewable energy, separate waste, eliminate plastic, and use local food. This would allow Italian businesses to remain competitive.”
Directive not implemented for 20 years
Currently, however, no one knows what the new regulations for the concessions will entail, despite Italy being obligated to implement this EU directive for nearly 20 years. Italy has consistently managed to evade this obligation, as beach resort operators represent an important voting demographic.
The European Court of Justice and Italy’s highest administrative authority, the Council of State, have also determined that Italy must now open concessions to tender. This uncertainty about the future is what troubles beach resort operator Edoardo Moscara the most.
“We are striking so we can understand what to do with our lives, our business, and our families. We have invested for our children’s future, and now we don’t know what will happen in October,” he states.
They have been demanding regulations for years. “They need to inform us of the rules, and then we will determine whether it’s worth continuing or if we need to seek other employment,” Moscara insists.
If the government fails to act, he and his colleagues plan to stage another strike. Today, the strike only lasted until 9:30 a.m. On August 19, the beach resorts will remain closed until 10:30 a.m.
Lisa Weiß, ARD Rome, tagesschau, 09.08.2024 15:24
The Strike of Italy’s Beach Resorts: A Fight for Survival Amid EU Regulations
The Situation at Belsito Lido, Ostia
The Belsito lido, on the popular beach of Ostia near Rome, is a family-run business now in its third generation. Every morning, Edoardo Moscara and his crew arrange 230 green umbrellas and 700 red loungers in preparation for the day. However, this routine could soon be disrupted due to new EU regulations mandating the re-advertisement of beach concessions.
Challenges Faced by Lido Operators
Italy’s lido operators have historically benefited from automatically renewed concessions, often at minimal costs. Many have invested heavily in their lidos, including swimming pools and beach houses, but fear losing everything with the upcoming tenders.
Unable to Compete
Moscara voices his concerns, stating, “We are not in a position to compete with corporate groups or hotel chains. Operators who lack financial constraints can afford to bid high without the risk of losing their investment.” This situation creates an uneven playing field, especially for family-run businesses depending on their lidos for livelihood.
Potential Involvement of Underworld Interests
While Moscara hesitates to assert that organized crime may infiltrate the bidding process, he acknowledges the existing risks. The looming uncertainty has escalated fears among operators who question the future of their family businesses.
In Ostia near Rome, the beach remained temporarily closed in the morning due to operator strikes.
Environmental Concerns and Opportunities
The beach resort business is economically significant, with daily fees for loungers and umbrellas reaching up to 30 euros. The entire beach resort sector generates an estimated 30 billion euros annually, with over half of Ostia’s coastline managed commercially.
Access to Beaches
Environmentalist Sebastiano Venneri from Legambiente criticizes the lack of public access, stating that beaches should be freely accessible. The constant renewal of concessions has led to the over-commercialization of popular beaches, hindering local communities’ rights to nature.
Environmental Advocacy and Future Tenders
Venneri views the EU regulations as a chance to reduce the number of awarded concessions and promote public access. He advocates for tenders to prioritize eco-friendly operations, which could level the playing field for Italian businesses.
- Encouraging the use of renewable energy
- Implementing proper waste separation practices
- Advocating for local and sustainable food sources
The Long-Standing Directive
Despite being mandated nearly 20 years ago, Italy has evaded compliance with the EU directive regarding beach concessions. Special interest groups, including beach resort operators, have influenced the Italian government, causing delays in implementation.
With recent rulings from the European Court of Justice and the Italian Council of State, it is now mandatory for Italy to conduct transparent tenders for concessions, leaving many operators anxious about the forthcoming changes.
The Call for Clarity and the Future of Beach Resorts
Moscara voices the collective frustration of beach resort owners, stating, “We are striking to determine our next steps. Our investments and future are at stake.” He emphasizes the need for regulations that allow operators to make informed decisions regarding their businesses.
If the situation remains unchanged, beach resort operators plan to extend their strike actions. A scheduled protest will see resorts close for increased periods as a final attempt to demand clarity and protect their livelihoods.
Summary of Key Issues
| Key Issues | Implications |
|---|---|
| New EU regulations on beach concessions | Potential loss of family-run beach resorts |
| Competition from corporate entities | Increased financial pressure on small operators |
| Environmental protection and public access | Opportunity for sustainable practices and equitable access |
| Long-standing directive non-implementation | Heightened uncertainty for operators and investment |
