While tourists in Barcelona are at risk of being hit by water pistols, those in the Mediterranean coast town of Calpe Spainface another threat: a hefty fine for keeping the beach space to themselves.
The City Council reminded vacationers in a press release on Wednesday that, according to the Municipal Ordinance on the Use and Management of Beaches, it is prohibited to place items such as chairs, hammocks and umbrellas before 9 am so as not to disrupt the cleaning of the beaches.
Its consequences
Those who do not comply with this rule may be fired, stripped of their items and fines of 250 euros.
Chairs, hammocks and umbrellas left unattended for more than three hours during the day could be removed, the council said.
He added that for some years now he has been receiving complaints about people occupying spaces on the beach, with visitors arriving in the morning to find it already full of items, but with no sign of their owners.
Daily problem
The issue of tourists occupying beach space is also a daily problem in the nearby tourist hotspot of Benidorm, according to local news website Información.
In recent months, there has been a growing backlash against tourists in Spain and its islands.
Last month, the local government of Barcelona – where thousands of people are protesting against mass tourism – announced it would ban the rental of apartments to tourists from 2028, in a bid to curb rising housing costs and make the city liveable for residents.
In May, there were new crackdowns on party boats and public drinking on the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca.
And in April, Canary Islanders protested against overtourism, accusing visitors of driving them out of their homes and causing environmental damage.
Source: CNN