Italy’s balneari, also known as beach managers, made a symbolic statement by closing their umbrellas for a brief period in protest against the government’s unresolved conflict with the European Union regarding opening up their industry to external competition.
The licensing of sun loungers, beach umbrellas, and beachside establishments like bars and restaurants in Italy has traditionally been a family affair, passed down through generations. However, rival entrepreneurs have expressed frustration at being excluded from this lucrative market.
In 2006, the European Union directed Italy to open up its 28,000 beach licenses to public tender. Despite pressure from Brussels, Italian governments have procrastinated on this directive. The issue has gained renewed attention as beach concessions expired at the end of 2023, necessitating their reassignment through public tenders by year-end.
To demonstrate their discontent, Italy’s beach managers delayed their usual opening time on Friday morning and kept their umbrellas closed. Antonio Capacchione, a union leader representing license holders, noted the significant support for this “gentle strike.”
This protest poses a potential challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as her nationalist coalition has aligned with beach club managers who argue that increased competition could lead to higher prices and the erosion of local customs.
Amid calls from beach club managers for transparency on tender criteria and economic compensation, the government, citing ongoing discussions with Brussels, has delayed revealing such details before the summer break.
Michele De Fazio, manager of La Bonaccia beach club in Ostia, expressed disappointment at the lack of clarity from the government, stating that colleagues are starting to lose confidence in the administration.
Italy’s beach clubs have contributed significantly to the economy, generating 2.1 billion euros in revenue, with the government averaging 102 million euros annually from licensing concessions between 2016 and 2020.
Despite the high revenue potential – where tourists can pay over 30 euros per day for beach amenities along Italy’s extensive coastline – successive administrations have failed to introduce market liberalization, risking penalties from the EU for non-compliance.
This ongoing saga highlights the complexities of balancing tradition, economic interests, and EU regulatory demands within Italy’s beach management sector.
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