Holiday warning as Brit hotspot issues new ban on popular beach activities… it could ruin family trips
BRIT holidaymakers heading to Greece have been issued a warning over a new ban on popular beach activities.
Greek officials have introduced a ban on nearly all water recreational activities on the idyllic islands of Koufonisia.
This includes popular water sports such as water skiing, kite surfing, parasailing and using water bikes or jet skis.
Only swimming will be allowed in the clear blue waters of the two islets, located in eastern Cyclades in the interest of public safety and preservation, the newspaper Kathimerini reports.
The new regulation was announced by Naxos harbour master Rear Admiral Alexios Apostolopoulos amid concerns about motorised and non-motorised activity around Ano and Kato Koufonisi.
The new measure has been imposed due to the islands’ unique features including a small coastline that has seen increased activity from tourist boats, ships and other vessels.
Authorities deem that the use of recreational water vehicles poses a higher risk of accidents.
Apostolopoulos noted: “There has been no accident. We’re just being proactive.”
The decision has been made to protect cultural heritage on the islands- especially since Kato Koufonisi has been declared a protected A Zone area.
Alexopoulos had previously banned any fishing activity, and anchoring of motorised marine recreational vehicles in the tourist-filled beaches of Naxos, in a bid to protect swimmers and the marine ecosystem.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Italy, holidaymakers were warned after a foreign seaside resort clamped down on tourists due to overcrowding.
An odd new rule has now been put in place to control traffic during the busiest season of the year in popular hotspots Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
A similar rule has been introduced in Spain, where officials in Barcelona are placing the restriction for both tourists and locals at the Bunkers del Carmel after it become too crowded and trashed by partygoers.
While a new smoking ban is in place on some of Spain’s most popular beaches.
Tourists are barred from lighting up at 28 hotspots across Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca.