The issue of tourism on the Italian island of Sardinia is a pressing one. In an effort to control overcrowding on its famous beaches, regulations were put in place a few seasons ago. These regulations include restricted access, prebooking, and bans on towels.
Now, some tourism experts and operators are looking to change the island’s predominant image as solely a sea and sun destination, which causes tourism to be concentrated in just a few months. They believe that this shift will make tourism more sustainable and profitable, but it will require changes in everything from restaurant operating seasons to flight schedules – will this transition work for this summer-centric island?
Sardinia imposes visitor caps and towel bans on beaches
Many beaches in Sardinia now have visitor caps. For example, Cala Brandinchi and Lu Impostu in the northeast have restricted numbers to 1,447 and 3,352, respectively, between June 15 and September 15. At Cala Mariolu further south, only 700 people are allowed daily.
In certain places, beachgoers must book their spot online before arriving. Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantina on the La Maddalena archipelago have a limit of 60 people per day and visitors need to reserve in advance, paying €3 ($3.33) per person for beach access with a guide.
Some areas of the coastline are now completely off-limits. The famous pink beach on Budelli island can only be viewed from a boat at a distance.
Specific rules have been enforced in other places as well. Communities like Santa Teresa di Gallura and Sant’Antioco have forbidden the use of rocks to anchor beach umbrellas, imposing a €500 ($550) fine for violators. In the province of Olbia, the mayor has prohibited late-night swimming, beach camping, bonfires, and leaving chairs and towels overnight, in an effort to curb all-night parties.
Pelosa Beach, for instance, has banned towels due to excessive sand accumulation, instead requesting visitors to bring mats. There is a beachgoer limit of 1,500 and a fee of €3.50 ($3.88).
Travel experts want to make Sardinia’s tourism more sustainable
Sardinia is often marketed as a summer sea and sun destination, which has not only led to necessary beach regulations but also overlooked much of the island’s year-round potential. The island’s new regional councilor for tourism, Franco Cuccureddu, has spoken about his vision of ‘deseasonalization’ for Sardinia as a vacation spot.
Cuccureddu believes that by highlighting the region’s food and wine, archaeological sites, villages, and activities like hiking, cycling, or sports events, tourism can be expanded beyond the typical summer months. He aims to attract more visitors during the shoulder seasons, when foreigners tend to travel more than Italians.
One of the main challenges in implementing these changes is improving flight connections during the off-season. Cuccureddu plans to invest €30 million ($33 million) over three years to enhance international air connections, particularly from America and Asia, in addition to Europe.
Authorities will also need to collaborate with tourism businesses to ensure there are viable options off-season, as many of Sardinia’s prominent restaurants and clubs only operate during the summer months. Cuccureddu is optimistic that these changes will be successful in extending tourism beyond the peak season, noting that luxury tourism is already present in Sardinia; the goal now is to fill accommodations year-round.
