Hadzidakis issued a statement saying that violations of the law will not be tolerated. “I have given instructions … to increase inspections,” he said.
Private beaches are illegal in Greece, where the constitution stipulates that all coastal areas are state property with guaranteed public access.
However, the strong increase in visitors to the country has triggered the demand for beaches that offer lounge chairs, places to rest, drinks, snacks and, all too often, loud music.
Local authorities lease limited sections of beach to businessmen who run the services during the summer months, in some cases charging tourists more than 100 euros ($109) for an umbrella and a couple of lounge chairs.
On many Greek islands, it is now difficult to find a beach without services in the height of the summer tourist season.
Protest groups from some of the most popular tourist islands in the Aegean Sea, such as Paros, Naxos and Serifos, pointed out that some entrepreneurs often go far beyond the scope of their rental contracts, occupying entire beaches with their services and sometimes banning visitors who do not pay to settle in their territory.
Greek media have dubbed the protests the “beach towel riot”, referring to the items bathers brought with them to sit on before rental chairs were rolled out.
Greece’s attorney general ordered an investigation this week into the complaints.
The Ministry of Finance stated that three companies active on two beaches in Paros had breached their leases and would be ordered to leave.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
