Furious Greek locals launch sunbed war on British holiday hotspots
Angered Greeks have had enough about not being able to find a spot
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Greek locals have declared a sunbed war on beloved British holiday hotspots, after the influx of tourists has made their beaches packed.
Beaches in Greece have become a far-cry from a relaxing haven for locals, who have complained about being unable to swim or sunbathe as tourists descended.
The angry Greek beachgoers have launched the ‘Towel Movement’, which pledges to fight back against the “abusive occupation” of the beaches.
The campaign began in Paros, after vexed residents decided they had had enough of not being able to find a space on the beach due to aggressive sunbed firms.
The over-priced beds have caused locals to fume, as tourists pay for the spots and they are left with nowhere to go
The jaded sunbathers, united as the Save Paros Beaches group, believe that illegal sunbed operators have been draining tourists for their cash, by charging them extortionate prices to secure a spot on the beach.
Campaigners brought the extortionate costs for renting a spot to light. They shared a picture of the prices for one sunbed firm on Facebook.
The firm in question is charging €60 (£51.68) for tourists to rent an umbrella and two sunbeds for the day.
For €120 (£103.36), visitors could enjoy a 'VIP area'.
Save Paros Beaches stressed that beaches are public and free to use by all.
They said in a statement: 'We claim our right to public space, our right to enjoy our beaches that are encroached upon by greedy, socially irresponsible businessmen who occupy beaches in their entirety or exceed their limits by up to 100 times the area they legally lease.'
However, the Mayor was unsure about how to fix the issue.
He said: “We are experiencing a condition where indecency is so pervasive anyway. Everyone does what they want.
'Everyone can ask for what they want because they have never been in control, let alone have consequences attributed to them.”
The movement has also struck a chord with residents across Greece, who share similar frustrations.
Busy beaches have caused residents to launch 'Save Paros Beaches" group
In Naxos, citizens have set up a group called ‘Save the beaches of Naxos’.
Last summer, a record-breaking 4.5million Brits visited Greece on holiday, coming out top in the visitor league tables.
Tiffs over towels have also occurred elsewhere in Southern Europe.
In Costa del Sol, Spain, one hotel had a referee who would blow the whistle when beachgoers were allowed to start running to secure a spot.
Meanwhile in Tenerife, a video circulated on TikTok of one holidaymaker bagging five sun loungers by sprinting through sun beds.