Greek Authorities Deploy Drones to Combat Beach ‘Hogging’ by Tourists

Drones have been deployed to monitor tourists in parts of Greece as fights over sunbeds spiral out of control. In popular destinations such as Corfu, the Chalkidiki peninsula, and Attica, drones are being used to disrupt ‘beach-hogging’ practices.

To address over-tourism, authorities are investigating over 1,000 complaints received via the MyCoast app. Surveillance UAVs and satellite imagery are being utilized to follow up on reports from locals, targeting not only tourists but also bars and restaurants that illegally cover beaches with sunbeds and tables.

The ‘beach towel movement’ activists have forced authorities to take a closer look at the widespread practice of illegal beach encroachment by tourism operators (Picture: AP)

New rules introduced in March mandate that umbrellas and deck chairs must be at least four meters from the sea and no rentals are allowed on beaches with less than four meters of sand.

As a result, approximately €350,000 worth of fines have been issued in just five days, primarily for sunbeds and umbrellas occupying excessive beach space. Additionally, three ‘unlicensed’ beaches operating without proper contracts have been suspended.

Sunbed wars: Greece tries to rein in beach chaos

In the coming days, drones will also monitor the famed Cyclades and Dodecanese islands near the Turkish coast to flag potential violations.

Greece’s New Beach Law Bans Sunbeds on 70% of Beach – GreekReporter.com

The government’s actions follow protests on the southeastern island of Paros, where residents launched the ‘towel’ movement demanding free and unencumbered access to the seaside. They criticized the appropriation of beaches by businesses renting parasols and deckchairs at high rates.

Sunbed wars return to Greece with DRONES deployed to patrol beaches ‘taken over’ by tourists’ loungers & umbrellas | The Irish Sun

Economy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated: “Our goal is to protect the environment and the right of citizens to access the beach freely and to preserve our tourism product as well as healthy entrepreneurship.”