Exmoor National Park spans parts of Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England. It boasts sea cliffs, moorlands, streams, and deep valleys, which host rare temperate Atlantic Rainforest habitats. Park Authority (ENPA) data reports roughly 1.6 million tourism visits annually.

Now, “to reward users of the National Park for taking care of this special landscape,” the park has announced it is working with partners under Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan and national “regenerative tourism” goals to “manage tourism in a way that benefits our communities, landscape, visitors, and businesses.”

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The “Pay with Exmoor Care” scheme rewards visitors who undertake “simple positive actions that support the care of Exmoor.” Started on 1 July and ongoing until 30 September, the concept offers participants a 20% discount on eligible purchases at participating Exmoor National Park Centres.

To qualify, participants must complete at least one recognised “Exmoor Care” action during their visit and provide “reasonable evidence” of it (such as photos, app submissions, or social media posts) at the point of purchase. The 20% discount is valid for a single transaction and is non-cumulative and non-transferable, with no cash alternative

The park authority says it was inspired by Copenhagen’s “very successful” CopenPay scheme, and has developed a similar promotion “more suitable” for a rural National Park. The Exmoor edition sees visitors earning their 20% for either: a two-minute litter pick; recording three plant or animal species they’ve found in Exmoor on the iNaturalist app; sharing “love and appreciation for Exmoor National Park” on social media using the @ExmoorNP tag; or journeying to the park’s centres by bike or public transport instead of a car.

According to the National Park authority (ENPA), the scheme brings to life the ambitions of Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan, “supporting tourism that is regenerative, productive and resilient, ensuring that visitors, businesses, communities and landscapes all benefit.”

Dan James, enterprise and communications manager for ENPA, said: “‘Pay with Exmoor Care’ is a simple but powerful idea – rewarding small positive actions with real benefits. These simple actions positively contribute to Exmoor’s natural environment and communities; they help turn care into a visible, shared currency that benefits visitors, businesses and the landscape alike.”

This year’s scheme is a pilot, but the park has already expressed the intention to expand the good deeds discount by involving other providers, organisations, and business partners in the future. Find out about other destinations that offer sustainability perks here.

L’article Visitors to UK’s Exmoor National Park to receive discounts for environmental good deeds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

“The question is no longer how tourism can do less harm, but whether it can give back more than it takes,” Meltem Acar, Vice President of Brand & Strategic Marketing at Paloma Group, told Travel Tomorrow during the Europe Responsible Tourism Forum in Brussels last June. “Regeneration begins with respect for the place, its people and its natural rhythms.”

For Club Marvy, Paloma Hotels’ flagship resort overlooking Türkiye’s Aegean coast, that philosophy is more than an aspiration. Earlier this year, the property received the Gold Award in the Nature Positive category at the ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards, recognising its work in biodiversity conservation, habitat protection and marine stewardship.

Beyond sustainability

Club Marvy forms part of Paloma Hotels, a family-owned Turkish hospitality group that has welcomed guests to the Mediterranean for more than four decades. While sustainability has become an increasingly common objective across the hotel industry, Club Marvy was conceived to explore a more regenerative model of hospitality, one that aims not simply to minimise environmental impacts but to create positive outcomes for nature and local communities.

The resort opened in 2017 following the transformation of the former Paloma Club Sultan Özdere. Rather than clearing the site and starting from scratch, the redevelopment sought to preserve the natural character of Kesre Bay, a 160,000-square-metre landscape of protected pine and palm trees overlooking the Aegean Sea. Buildings were integrated into the existing topography, allowing the surrounding forest and coastline to remain defining elements of the guest experience.

That philosophy is reflected in two of Club Marvy’s guiding principles: “A transformation, not a construction” and “Respect before sustainability”, emphasising that responsible tourism begins with understanding the character of a place before attempting to improve it. 

Nature as infrastructure

The judges of the 2026 ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards recognised Club Marvy for embedding biodiversity into its day-to-day operations rather than treating conservation as a standalone initiative.

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Habitat restoration, marine conservation, species protection and biodiversity monitoring all contribute to the resort’s long-term environmental strategy. Rather than viewing forests, beaches and marine ecosystems simply as attractive scenery, Club Marvy considers them essential infrastructure supporting the destination’s future.

This approach also reflects wider changes taking place across Mediterranean tourism. As rising temperatures, water scarcity and biodiversity loss increasingly affect destinations, many hospitality businesses are recognising that healthy ecosystems are not only environmentally valuable but also economically essential.

Rooted in local food traditions

Food plays a central role in Club Marvy’s regenerative philosophy. Rather than relying primarily on imported products, the resort places strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients, regional recipes and local producers. Olive harvesting, pomegranate festivals and traditional culinary experiences invite guests to discover the rhythms of the Aegean landscape while supporting nearby farming communities. The objective is not simply to showcase local gastronomy but to strengthen regional supply chains and preserve agricultural traditions that have shaped the area for generations.

The hotel’s sustainability programme also prioritises local procurement wherever possible, alongside careful supplier selection, resource efficiency, waste reduction and environmental awareness throughout its operations.

Culture as part of the destination

Club Marvy’s regenerative approach extends beyond the environment. Local craftsmanship, regional architecture, music, traditions and gastronomy are woven into the guest experience, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with the identity of Türkiye’s Aegean coast.

Speaking to Travel Tomorrow, Meltem Acar said regeneration is also about preserving cultural identity and ensuring that tourism strengthens, rather than dilutes, local traditions. “Looking back to move forward” and “The rituals of our ancestors” are guiding principles that reflect the belief that cultural heritage should remain a living part of everyday life rather than becoming a performance for visitors.

Rather than presenting local culture as entertainment, Club Marvy seeks to create meaningful connections between guests and the communities that shape the destination, helping ensure traditions continue to generate social, cultural and economic value for future generations.

Measuring hospitality differently

Club Marvy’s Nature Positive award reflects a broader shift taking place across the hospitality industry.

For decades, luxury hotels have largely been measured by comfort, exclusivity and service. Today, an increasing number of travellers also expect destinations to demonstrate environmental responsibility, meaningful community engagement and transparent sustainability commitments.

To support these ambitions, Club Marvy has implemented environmental management systems covering energy, water, waste, procurement and biodiversity protection. The resort publishes regular sustainability reports, promotes local sourcing, monitors resource consumption and works with employees, suppliers and guests to improve environmental performance.

As destinations prepare for a future shaped by climate change and growing pressure on natural resources, regenerative tourism is gradually moving from a niche concept towards a mainstream business strategy. For Club Marvy, the benchmark is no longer simply reducing its footprint.

As Meltem Acar told Travel Tomorrow, “The question is no longer how tourism can do less harm, but whether it can give back more than it takes.” At Club Marvy, that principle has become more than a vision. It has become the benchmark against which the resort measures its future.

L’article How Club Marvy is turning responsible tourism into everyday practice est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The one-hour webinar, taking place from 12:00 to 13:00 UK time, will also mark the launch of the new Responsible Tourism Award categories for 2027.

The Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide recognise organisations and initiatives that are helping make tourism more sustainable. Winners will be announced across categories including nature-positive and regenerative tourism, cultural tourism, creating economic impact, adapting to climate change, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Entries are currently being assessed from candidates across North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. The worldwide ceremony is the fifth regional Responsible Tourism Awards event to take place this year, following award announcements in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.

The awards will be presented by Harold Goodwin, founder of ICRT Global and chair of the judging panel. He will be joined by fellow judges Jane Ashton, ICRT Global board director; Eleanor Cox, sustainability executive at DERTOUR; Ruth Crichton, ICRT Southern Africa chair and representative of The Long Run; Yashin Dujon, executive director at the Belize Audubon Society; Karen Edwards, author and writer; Tiomóid Foley, net zero tourism manager, business development and intermediary marketing at VisitScotland; Carol Hay, ICRT Global special advisor; and Jane McFadzean, senior director of global sustainability at Trip.com.

Alongside the awards, the event will reveal the ten recipients of the 2026 ICRT Global Scholarships, delivered in partnership with ITB Berlin. Ryan Fuller, head of CSR and host country coordinator at ITB Berlin, together with ICRT special advisors Carol Hay and Sarah Habsburg, will outline how the programme supports the next generation of responsible tourism professionals.

The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to complete one of ICRT Global’s online professional certificate courses in Responsible Tourism, Rebalancing Tourism or Creating Economic Value. The courses provide participants with expert teaching, global case studies, peer discussions and practical tools that can be applied within their own organisations and destinations.

The scholarship programme is backed by partners including easyJet holidays, The Institute of Tourism, Lemongrass Marketing, Mathur & Co and Responsible Travel. Recipients will also have opportunities to engage with representatives from the sponsoring organisations during the programme.

The Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide is a part of a broader international awards network that also includes regional programmes in Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Gold winners from the regional competitions go on to compete for the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board.

Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT Global, highlighted: “We want this event to celebrate those already making a difference, but also to inspire others to take responsibility for the impacts of tourism. By bringing together award-winning initiatives, scholarship recipients, industry leaders and responsible tourism practitioners, we will be demonstrating the breadth of work taking place around the world to make tourism a positive force change, creating better places to live in and visit.” 

The free webinar is open to participants worldwide, with sessions scheduled for 7:00 a.m. EDT on the US East Coast, 12:00 p.m. in London, 3:00 p.m. in Dubai, 8:00 p.m. in Japan and 9:00 p.m. in Sydney. Registration is available through the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide and Scholarships event page.

L’article ICRT to announce Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide and 2026 Scholarships in free global webinar est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The tax is levied at the same rate year-round, putting an additional five percent on overnight accommodation, including Airbnb, bed and breakfasts, barges and boats, hostels, hotels, and short-term rentals. The fee is collected by accommodation operators and capped at five nights to promote longer stays.

Approved back in early 2025, the tax began applying on 1 October 2025 to advance bookings for stays on or after 24 July 2026. The money raised is to be targeted at measures to improve the balance between city-dwellers’ and visitors’ needs.

“We know that the city’s popularity comes at a cost through the pressure it puts on our services and on the people who live and work here all year round,” Council Leader Jane Meagher said. “This small new contribution from overnight visitors will help improve the services and public spaces we all depend on, while better managing the effects of tourism and major events.”

At the time of writing, the city is approaching the height of its event calendar, with August’s International Festival on the horizon, encompassing the worlds of the arts, comedy, theatre, books, and film and expected to see 3.85 million attendances at events across the month.

Money generated by the new tax has already been earmarked for public safety at the carnival that kicks off festival season. What’s more, over €9 million is dedicated to new arts venues, in the shape of the restoration of Leith Theatre and the transformation of the Old Royal High School into a national music centre.

Edinburgh's Visitor Levy officially comes into effect tomorrow!

The UK's first city-wide levy is projected to raise up to £50 million a year to invest back into our city -improving the services we all depend on, while better managing the effects of tourism and major events. pic.twitter.com/Jq2YiZW4Tl

— The City of Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) July 23, 2026

But the scope of the tax spend goes beyond both the festival and the summer. Over €1.5 million will go towards additional waste, cleaning, and patrol operations in the city centre, and around €3.5 million will be spent on public lavatories. Parks and green spaces have been allocated double the rangers and a planting budget intended to give them a new lease of life. As Julie Ashworth, Chair of the Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, explained: “From revitalised public spaces to better visitor infrastructure and experiences, we’re confident the levy can help Edinburgh stay welcoming, resilient and successful.”

Still, not everyone is happy. Hospitality stakeholders in the Scottish capital have voiced fears that the tax will put travel consumers off Scotland and reduce their spending in the region. Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, has also raised concerns about inconsistent implementation and a lack of guidance to businesses about collecting the levy. Others note that the tax penalises holidaymakers who have chosen to stay and spend in the city, rather than targeting day-trippers, who can add to congestion without generating much revenue.

Given the benefits to the arts sector the tax is intended to bring, some criticism of the levy comes from seemingly unlikely sources. Scottish Ballet has had to cut short its winter run of performances in the capital, blaming the strain that the additional five percent would put on its bill of over €230,000.

But Edinburgh is not alone in charging the overnight tax, following in the footsteps of destinations such as Venice and Amsterdam. British cities like Liverpool and Manchester already apply a visitor tax, and other Scottish cities such as Aberdeen and Glasgow are set to bring in their own overnight visitor charge within the next two years.

L’article Edinburgh becomes first city in Scotland to implement tourist tax est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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The Croatian city of Dubrovnik is one of international repute. While its undeniable charm alone is enough to attract many a history fanatic, the UNESCO-listed Old Town is also a popular stop for cruise ships and ‘Game of Thrones’ lovers. Over the years, this led to an increasingly large number of (day) visitors, putting a strain on the beautiful medieval city that was not built to accommodate as many tourists.

In 2017, overtourism threatened to strip Dubrovnik of its UNESCO status; the so-called ‘Respect the City’ scheme was launched under the mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković. Almost a decade later, Franković, who still occupies the same role, went into detail about the initiative in an interview with Euronews.

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“For years, tourism in Dubrovnik wasn’t managed; it simply just ‘happened’ on its own. Previously, there would be days where five or six cruise ships would arrive at once, bringing with them so many day-trippers from nearby destinations. That’s when we realised we needed to manage tourism differently, so we divided it into different sectors,” stated Mato Franković.

Instead of focusing on reducing the overall visitor numbers, ‘Respect the City’ has been trying to spread tourist arrivals evenly over the days, weeks, and months. Successfully, it appears, as the city welcomes some 650,000 arrivals and two million overnight stays between the start of 2026 and mid-July.

One of the ‘Respect the City’ measures consists of limiting the number of docked cruise ships at Dubrovnik’s port to just two, or a maximum of 4,000 arrivals. Moreover, cruise calls have to last at least eight hours, which means tourists are more prone to extend their visit beyond the Old Town – reducing the pressure on the historic town centre – and to contribute more towards the local economy.

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A similar rule applies to coach operators. The bus webshop scheme obliges buses to register in advance, meaning the local authorities can stagger arrivals throughout the day and year by adding a limited number of available slots and by adapting that number depending on events and other arrivals.

Yet the ‘Respect the City’ scheme doesn’t just concentrate on spreading awareness. As the name might suggest, the campaign also stimulates visitors and local stakeholders to respect Dubrovnik and its inhabitants.

“Respect for Dubrovnik is something we ask of everyone: citizens, people working in the city, those who come to enjoy Dubrovnik – this is our message to everyone,” explained Mato Franković.

One of the measures includes limiting noise nuisance, for example by banning tourists from wheeling their suitcases through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and by applying a noise level limit of 55 decibels in outdoor areas.

While ‘Respect the City’ already functions as a successful model for handling overtourism, with international destinations looking towards Dubrovnik for inspiration, Mayor Franković is already looking at future measures. Some of those include concentrating tourism on existing hotspots, while replacing underdeveloped tourism zones with affordable housing for locals.

“Short-term rentals are killing cities because step by step, they push residents out and turn living neighbourhoods into tourist apartment zones. It’s going to be just like a generic Disney-land experience, and who wants to visit a ghost town? That’s not what people want – they want to see and meet the citizens. But if we let this continue, our citizens will be forced out of the major cities and into the far away suburbs”, the mayor told Euronews. The aim of the ‘Respect the City’ scheme is clear: safeguarding Dubrovnik for future generations to enjoy, while giving tourists the chance to respectfully marvel at its medieval beauty.

L’article How Dubrovnik’s ‘Respect the City’ scheme is tackling overtourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Brombil Reservoir, near Port Talbot, originated as a colliery basin in the 18^th century, but first went viral on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been nicknamed the Welsh “blue lagoon” for its striking colour. Since then, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of social media tags and seen an influx of visitors, as well as being sold in 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd for the bargain sum of £20,000 (around €23,600).

Ironically, the reservoir’s notable blue colour is reported to be caused by blue-green algae, which produces toxins that are harmful for both humans and dogs, leading to skin rashes, eye irritation, nausea, and vomiting. It’s a mismatch between perception and use that is being played out in other aspects of the site’s destiny too.

Though the reservoir is accessible via a 900-metre-long footpath, the way is steep and has become littered with rubbish. The owners have now installed barriers on the reservoir’s dam face, and a £2 entry fee has been imposed, as well as a ban on a range of “unauthorized” activities.

Swimming, hiking, motorcycling, filming, and camping are all now prohibited without prior consent from the management team, according to the company’s social media pages. Leisure Estate Investments stated: “Our long-term goal is to safely open this site for community health and well-being. However, the reservoir is currently a high-risk infrastructure site and remains private property.”

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The firm went on: “For your own safety, we strictly discourage public access at this time, and all entry is entirely at your own risk. Managing this site requires significant private funding for environmental protection and flood maintenance. If you choose to visit, please support our conservation efforts by paying our £2 site maintenance fee.”

The “maintenance fee” will help raise funds for removing rubbish and managing vegetation, cleaning flood channels, promoting local biodiversity, and repairing structural damage, the statement said.

Online commenters on platforms such as Reddit have complained that the owners did not sufficiently research the implications of owning a reservoir before purchasing it, although it seems for now the intention remains to turn the location into a leisure facility, with the area described on the reservoir website as “perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, filming and those with a keen interest for ecology.”

L’article Tourists warned to stay away or pay to visit Welsh “blue lagoon” reservoir est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday in a demonstration organised under the slogan “Less Tourism, More Life” (“Menys Turisme, Més Vida”), calling for tighter controls on visitor numbers and urgent action to tackle soaring housing costs, environmental pressures and the increasing “touristification” of the island. Police estimated attendance at around 25,000 people, while organisers put the figure at as many as 70,000, making it one of the biggest anti-tourism protests Mallorca has seen in recent years. 

The demonstration began shortly after 7:00 p.m. in Palma’s Plaza de España, with thousands of protesters marching through La Rambla, Calle Unió and Paseo del Born. As the procession made its way through the city centre, many restaurants and cafes along the route removed their outdoor tables and chairs, leaving the streets almost entirely occupied by demonstrators. Dozens of tourists gathered on the pavements to watch the protest as it passed through the island’s capital.

The march passed peacefully through much of Palma before tensions emerged near Ses Voltes, where organisers had planned to read the protest manifesto. According to local reports, police restricted access to the area because of crowd-control concerns, preventing many demonstrators from entering. After the manifesto was read, part of the crowd attempted to continue marching towards Parc de la Mar, where they were met by a large deployment of Spain’s National Police. 

Witnesses said protesters chanted slogans including “I’d be ashamed to be a police officer” and “Out with the occupying forces” as officers blocked their route. The situation escalated when a small group of demonstrators threw objects, mainly plastic bottles, at police officers. Police responded with baton charges and fired around 20 rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

Paramedics treated eight people at the scene, with two taken to hospital with minor injuries. One man suffered a bleeding head wound, while witnesses also reported that some tourists passing through the area became caught up in the clashes. 

The demonstration was organised by the platform Less Tourism, More Life, which argues that Mallorca has reached its limit after years of record visitor numbers. “With all limits broken and the island converted into a theme park for tourists, we are going to see our already collapsed services put to the service of visitors,” coordinators said. 

Protesters say mass tourism has fuelled a housing crisis, pushed up rental prices, strained public services and transformed neighbourhoods into tourism-focused areas at the expense of local residents. Banners carried during the march called for limits on tourist accommodation, restrictions on cruise ships and private jets, stronger protection for affordable housing and a transition towards a more sustainable economic model.

The unrest comes as Spain continues to experience growing protests against overtourism across several popular destinations, including Barcelona, Ibiza and the Canary Islands. Mallorca, one of Europe’s busiest holiday islands, welcomed more than 13 million visitors last year, with campaigners arguing that the current tourism model is no longer sustainable for residents or the environment.

L’article Mallorca anti-tourism protest turns chaotic as riot police fire rubber bullets at crowds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The new maps are intended to clear up a misunderstanding that has existed for years. Many visitors believed they could only place their own umbrella in areas specifically marked for that purpose unless they rented a sunshade or sun lounger from a beach concession. However, there has never been a law requiring beachgoers to do so. The debate resurfaced after the president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), José Pimenta Machado, described it as “an abuse” when concession holders prevented people from placing their own umbrellas in front of licensed beach facilities. Even after the APA issued guidance to concession operators, uncertainty remained, prompting the government to introduce the maps.

Each map will clearly identify four different types of beach areas. Concession zones are the parts of the beach where businesses provide services such as sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. Circulation areas must remain clear so people can move safely across the beach, while safety areas are reserved for emergency access and other essential activities. The remaining free areas are available for visitors who bring their own umbrellas or other beach equipment. Explaining the initiative, Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said “it needs to be clear, and shown in a diagram at the entrance to the beach” where each type of zone begins and ends, as the layout can vary from one beach to another. Because every beach has a different layout, each location will have its own map to help visitors quickly understand where each zone begins and ends.

The measure comes as Portugal continues to welcome growing numbers of visitors. According to the Portuguese National Statistics Institute, the country received almost 30 million international tourists in 2025, an increase of 3.3% compared with the previous year. Although growth has started to slow, Portugal remains one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, with the Algarve attracting large numbers of domestic and international travellers every summer. At the same time, the country has been working to improve how tourism is managed by encouraging year-round travel and promoting lesser-known destinations beyond traditional hotspots. Clearer organisation of public beaches forms part of that wider effort to improve the visitor experience while reducing pressure on popular locations.

The Algarve is known for its long sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and nature reserves such as the Ria Formosa, while the neighbouring Alentejo coast attracts travellers looking for quieter stretches of coastline. These regions have become increasingly popular not only with international visitors but also with Portuguese holidaymakers. As more people head to the beach during the summer months, misunderstandings over where visitors can sit have become more common. By displaying the rules in a simple visual format, authorities hope to reduce conflicts between beachgoers, concession operators and local councils before they arise.

Preparing the maps will be the responsibility of the municipalities where the beaches are located. Before they are installed, each map must also receive approval from both the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Maritime Authority to ensure the layouts comply with existing regulations. The government has asked local authorities to put the signs in place as quickly as possible because the bathing season is already underway. According to Minister Carvalho, municipalities support the initiative, as they are often the first to receive complaints when disagreements occur on the beach.

For travellers, the introduction of the maps does not mean new restrictions are being introduced. Existing rules remain unchanged, including the limit that concession areas may occupy no more than 30% of the usable beach or 50% of the beachfront. Safety and circulation areas must continue to remain clear, while the rest of the beach is available for public use. Visitors planning a beach day in Portugal will simply be able to check the map at the entrance and choose a suitable place with greater confidence, making the start of a day by the sea a little more straightforward.

L’article Portugal to introduce beach maps to clarify umbrella rules this summer est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Under the new dress code, tourists must cover up when entering shops, restaurants, churches, squares and other public areas. Swimwear and bare chests remain permitted on beaches, piers and boat docks. Those who break the rules face penalties ranging from €50 to €200.

The measure forms part of a broader attempt to manage the impact of mass tourism on Varenna, a former fishing village with a year-round population of roughly 650 people. Despite its small size, the destination now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and has become one of Lake Como’s most sought-after tourist spots.

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Known for its colourful lakeside houses, historic architecture, botanical gardens and narrow pedestrian streets, Varenna has seen growing concerns about overcrowding, excessive noise and disruption to daily life. To ease the pressure, the municipality has also limited organised tourist groups to a maximum of 25 people.

Tour guides and group leaders are prohibited from using loudspeakers or other voice-amplification devices, while organised groups have been instructed not to block the village’s cobbled streets, historic alleyways or pedestrian walkways. The restrictions do not apply to school groups, educational visits or parish youth groups.

“Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year,” Mayor Mauro Manzoni told The Guardian. “However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism.”

The new rules appear to have been warmly received by many local residents and business owners. “On the beach, you can do what you want, but when you’re walking around and go into shops, restaurants, churches, or in the square, you must dress decently,” one shop owner told Italian broadcaster TGCom24. Another described the measure as overdue, adding that the key challenge would be ensuring it is properly enforced.

Varenna is far from the only Italian destination tightening its tourism regulations. In 2022, Sorrento introduced fines of between €25 and €500 for people walking around the town in swimwear or bare-chested, with the then mayor condemning what he described as “widespread indecorous behaviour”.

Other destinations have followed suit. Portofino introduced designated no-waiting areas and fines of up to €275 to discourage tourists from lingering in the village’s busiest spots, while Venice has capped organised tour groups at 25 people and banned guides from using loudspeakers.

As Italy continues to grapple with overtourism, more destinations are turning to dress codes, visitor limits, access fees and behavioural rules in an effort to preserve their historic centres while maintaining residents’ quality of life.

L’article Italian village bans bare chests and swimwear with fines of up to €200  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The proposal has reopened a long-running debate about the management of Italy’s beaches. Although much of the country’s coastline remains public, around one-third is managed through concessions granted to private beach clubs, known in Italy as lidos. These operators rent out sunbeds and umbrellas while also running restaurants, cafés and beach bars. While Italian law allows visitors to bring their own food and drinks, some beach clubs discourage or even prevent guests from entering with outside refreshments, arguing that they affect the quality of the services offered.

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Beach operators in Puglia have strongly opposed the governor’s proposal, saying it could negatively affect both businesses and the atmosphere on the beach. The regional branch of Assoturismo, which represents tourism operators, argues that allowing unrestricted picnics could lead to more litter and reduce the standards visitors expect from organised beach facilities. Nicola Ragno, president of Assoturismo in the town of Vieste, said the issue goes beyond people bringing a simple lunch. “It’s not about just a sandwich: some people think they can bring all sorts of food with them, starter, main, fruit, whole meals,” he said. Ragno added that “these situations can’t be tolerated because there are lots of other customers who don’t appreciate it.”

Decaro has rejected the argument that eating a homemade meal harms the image of beach resorts. Referring to criticism from some operators, he said they speak of a “damaged image” if someone chooses to eat “a sandwich or focaccia brought from home, in a private lido.” Focaccia is a traditional Italian flatbread that is particularly popular in Puglia and is often eaten as a snack or light meal. The governor argues that visitors should not feel obliged to buy food from beach restaurants simply because they are spending the day by the sea.

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Consumer organisations have also sided with the governor, pointing out that the beaches themselves remain public even when they are managed by private operators. Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union, stressed that beach clubs cannot treat concession areas as private property. “Beaches are public areas managed by private operators; they are not private property,” he said. Dona also argued that visitors have the right to bring their own food and drinks and should not be forced to hand over picnic bags before entering a beach club. The dispute has therefore become not only a tourism issue but also a debate over consumer rights and the use of public spaces.

The discussion comes as Italy prepares for what is expected to be another record-breaking summer tourism season. According to figures released by Italy’s Ministry of Tourism, the country is forecast to achieve higher accommodation occupancy rates than both Spain and France during the summer of 2026. International visitor numbers have continued to grow during the first half of the year, with Puglia among the regions recording the strongest increases in foreign arrivals. As more travellers choose the region’s beaches for their holidays, questions about affordability, public access and the balance between visitors’ rights and business interests are becoming increasingly important.

The debate also coincides with rising costs for beach holidays across Italy. A recent survey by consumer organisation Altroconsumo found that the average price of renting sunbeds and umbrellas has increased by around 6% compared with last year and by almost a quarter over the past five years. For many families, bringing their own food can significantly reduce the cost of spending a day at the beach. That has turned what might seem like a simple discussion about picnics into a wider conversation about whether Italy’s coastline should remain accessible to everyone while continuing to support one of the country’s most important tourism industries.

L’article Italy’s Puglia faces backlash over plan to allow picnics on private beaches est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.