Italy Introduces Digital Beach Reservations via App

Italy is embracing a new trend this summer with the introduction of digital beach access through a reservation app. To mitigate the effects of mass tourism, numerous beach towns are implementing systems that require visitors to book their beach access online. One such location is Tuerredda beach in the Teulada bay on Sardinia, where tourists will be required to purchase a ticket and make a reservation via an app or website starting this summer season.

The ticket prices are expected to be very affordable, ranging from one to two euros. The capacity for the beach is limited to 1,100 visitors, with 371 spots allocated for beach clubs and 729 for the public beach area. Visitors who arrive late risk losing their reservations.

The app will be available for download in July, and according to Mayor Angelo Milia, the implementation of this digital access system will also coincide with improvements to local infrastructure. Upgrades will include modernized parking facilities and renovated restrooms, showers, and foot showers.

Teulada is not the only municipality adopting these measures. With Italy anticipating another tourism boom this summer, many popular beach destinations are requiring advance reservations for beach access. For instance, to prevent overcrowding at the renowned Brandinchi beach in San Teodoro, northern Sardinia, a daily limit of 1,447 beachgoers will be enforced.

Even Lampedusa, an island often associated with migrant landings rather than its stunning turquoise waters, is implementing visitor restrictions. The famous Spiaggia dei Conigli, known as Rabbit Beach, situated in the south of the island, is recognized as one of Europe's most beautiful coastlines and is increasingly popular among tourists. Authorities have decided to limit access to 550 visitors at a time this coming summer.

The rise in tourism has already led to full bookings at numerous hotels across various vacation spots in Italy. However, the surge in visitors, which has bolstered Italy's economy since the pandemic, has also sparked concerns among local residents. Protests against the influx of tourists have emerged, prompting authorities to take action. Recently, representatives from popular tourist destinations such as Capri, Positano, and Cinque Terre convened in Amalfi to discuss stricter visitor regulations.

Furthermore, an increasing number of municipalities are introducing a tourism tax, which provides a significant financial boost for many local governments in Italy. This year, 1,389 municipalities are implementing such a tax, which is projected to generate nearly 1.2 billion euros. This figure reflects a 15.8 percent increase compared to 2024, according to data from the national observatory for tourism taxes. Last year, municipalities collected 1.24 billion euros, marking a 29.1 percent rise from 2023.