Shorter stays and tighter budgets: the changing face of beach tourism in Lazio

 ROME - There has been a decline in numbers along the entire Lazio coast, both in beach resorts with their empty sunbeds and closed umbrellas, and in holiday homes and B&Bs, which are increasingly being booked for shorter periods. This is a sign of the economic problems caused by price increases which, although slight, are affecting the purchasing power of families, many of whom choose to go to the beach only between Friday and Sunday in order to save money.

 But it is also a sign of a “cultural change in the concept of holidays”, explains Marco Maurelli, president of Federbalneari Italia, confirming “the decline in attendance” in almost all coastal resorts, but specifying, however, that “today, those who go on holiday do not do so for twenty days and no longer lie under a beach umbrella as they once did, but seek shorter and more varied experiences, perhaps to post on social media, leaving only a few fragments of their holidays for deckchairs by the sea.”

 From Terracina to Circeo to Anzio and, moving north, from Ostia to Fregene to Civitavecchia, the decline is evident, confirmed by staff in both the beach resort sector and the accommodation sector, admitting that stays have so far been shorter and more fragmented. “It seems clear to me that there is a general decline, just look at how car traffic has dropped, but then again, two sunbeds and a parasol for 40 euros can be a problem for families these days,” says Luciano Colantoni, owner of the real estate agency of the same name in Ostia and owner of two holiday homes “fortunately occupied throughout July and August.”

 Emanuela Accorrà, from the real estate agency in Fregene, also reports “a decline of about 20 per cent compared to last year. After all, people prefer to travel back and forth from the city, partly because staying here can be very expensive: restaurateurs in particular have taken advantage of this.”

 South of Ostia, the picture is more or less the same. In Circeo and San Felice, there are very few foreigners, while Sperlonga is holding up, even though people are spending less and some have cancelled plans for fear of West Nile virus. Flavio Bernardini of Hospitality Rome, which manages a large portfolio of rental properties in the province of Latina says “on average, we have seen a decline in occupancy of around 15 per cent, meaning that each property lost at least four nights in July. Added to this, there has been an average increase in rent of around 10 per cent, with a cost per night of €340. This increase is attributable to small investments made by tenants for renovations, services or marketing.”

 Elly Schlein, Secretary of the Democratic Party, stands firm in her belief that the Meloni government is to blame for the increase in prices and decrease in beach tourism: “The closed beach umbrellas are a manifesto of three years of right-wing government: costs are skyrocketing, wages are stagnating; we are the only country where they have fallen by 7%. People are giving up going on holiday.” And the numbers do not disagree – inflation in July stands at 1.7%, driven by rising food and beach holiday costs, making a holiday the newest unaffordable luxury.

 Maria Luisa Iodice, a high-end real estate agent, describes the situation in the Sabaudia and San Felice Circeo area in detail: “The villas on the dunes have not experienced any particular downturn, either in terms of occupancy or rental costs,” she says, before broadening the analysis and highlighting several critical issues. “After the general post-Covid increase,” explains Iodice, “the rental market has been stable for a couple of years, even though many properties have disappeared from the official circuit. Owners are discouraged by bureaucracy, especially by the need to obtain an identification code for accommodation facilities. So they no longer rent out houses or apartments. People don't move around much,” adds Iodice, “and for us, who have a purely Roman market, seeing the capital still full is not a very comforting sign. Not to mention foreigners, who are practically absent.”

 On the beaches, looking at the main platforms, there is still something available for the middle week of August. In the countryside, the situation is the same and there is still something available for the same week (if you wish to pay 2,300 euros for a house for three guests, without a swimming pool.)

 Further down the Riviera di Ulisse, the crisis is less noticeable. Alessandro, from Sperlonga Affitti, explains: “July, in terms of visitor numbers, has improved compared to last year. There has been an increase in the number of people staying. However, the period requested is increasingly shorter, consisting of just a few nights. The forecast for August is good: there are gaps in the bookings here and there, but we believe they will be filled at the last minute. Those who come on holiday spend more on accommodation, the beach and restaurants (especially if they stay for a short time), but in bars and clubs you mainly see locals or people from neighbouring towns. I have noticed, the agency points out, that the alarmism surrounding West Nile has led some families with children or vulnerable people to seriously consider whether or not to come, and others to cancel.”

rs