The Italian island of Sardinia has a problem with tourism. A few seasons ago, regulations were put in place to prevent overcrowding on the world-famous beaches. This includes access restrictions, advance reservations and towel bans.
Now some tourism experts and operators want to expand the island’s image from a predominantly seaside, sun-drenched destination, limiting its tourism season to just a few months. They say this will make tourism more sustainable and lucrative, although everything from restaurant opening times to flight schedules will have to change – will the change work on this summer island?
Sardinia imposes visitor caps and towel bans on beaches
Dozens of beaches in Sardinia now have visitor restrictions. Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu in the northeast have limited numbers of 1,447 and 3,352 respectively between June 15th and September 15th. In Cala Mariolu, a little further south, only 700 people are allowed daily.
Some locations require beachgoers to book their spot online before arrival. There is a daily limit of 60 people for Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantina on the La Maddalena archipelago. Visitors must book in advance and pay €3 ($3.33) per person to access the beaches with a guide.
Today some parts of the coast are completely closed. The famous pink beach on the offshore island of Budelli can only be seen from a boat moored some distance away.
Other specific rules have been issued. The municipalities of Santa Teresa di Gallura and Sant’Antioco have banned the use of stones to anchor parasols and imposed a fine of 500 euros for violators. And in the province of Olbia, the mayor has banned night swimming, beach camping, bonfires and the use of chairs and towels overnight in a bid to curb late-night parties.
Pelosa Beach has banned towels – which trap too much sand – and is asking visitors to bring mats instead. There is a limit of 1,500 beachgoers and a fee of €3.50 ($3.88).
Travel experts want to make Sardinia’s tourism more sustainable
Sardinia is marketed as a summer destination of sea and sun, which not only means that beach regulations are required, but also that much of the island’s potential is overlooked out of season.
Sardinia’s new regional councilor for tourism, Franco Cuccureddu, recently spoke to the press about his vision of “seasonalizing” the island as a holiday destination.
He says the island is often compared to the Maldives, but “whoever comes to Sardinia has more choice and, above all, the opportunity to enjoy the destination even when the days are not exactly beach days.”
He wants to spotlight the region’s food and wine, archaeological sites and villages, and slow and experiential tourism such as hiking, cycling or sporting events.
“Today there is still a strong concentration of guests in the months of July and August. We must aim for higher utilization of our facilities during off-peak times when foreigners, unlike Italians, travel more,” he told the Italian press.
One of the biggest challenges in implementing these changes is improving off-season flight connections.
“Thanks to the exemption granted by the European Community, the Sardinia region will be able to invest 30 million euros [$33 million] “In the next three years, flight connections at international level – not just continental – should be strengthened in the off-season,” said Cuccureddu.
“That is why we are imagining new flights to Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero, not only from Europe but also from America and Asia, especially from the Persian Gulf region.”
Authorities also need to work with tourism operators to ensure there are still options out of season, as some of Sardinia’s most famous restaurants and clubs only open in the summer months.
Zuma, a branch of the Costa Smeralda’s Izakaya-style Japanese restaurants, has a slatted roof, meaning the building cannot be used in bad weather, while clubs like Phi Beach and Ritual operate primarily outdoors.
However, Cuccureddu is confident that the changes will pay off. “Sardinia is not lacking in luxury tourism,” he said, “we just need to fill the beds even outside of high season.”