The costs for the umbrellas do not increase, the services are maintained and the quality of the water improves, but no new investments are made due to the concern linked to the risk of expiry of the concessions. This is the picture of the seaside situation in the Gulf, on the beaches of Formia, Gaeta and Scauri-Marina on the eve of the new summer season. Gianfilippo Di Russo, president of the Cna balneari di Latina and owner, with his sister Valentina, of the Lido Bandiera on the Formia coast of Vindicio, appears optimistic: «It will certainly be a positive summer because already in April the desire for the sea has arrived and above all for a high quality of services. For the seaside resorts not only in the province it will be a special summer because at the end of the year we have the sword of Damocles of the expiration of the concessions, we are waiting for a government intervention that is in line with the requests of Europe”. What’s new this year? «In terms of services it will be a slightly more modest summer, this climate of uncertainty has led operators not to make large investments. Naturally the standard will be maintained.” Will there be increases? «The costs of services have remained mostly unchanged on all the coasts of the province, except for state property fees».
The findings of the Arpa lead to optimism about the suitability of the waters for bathing. «We are waiting for the official data, but I can say that the checks are continuous, the waters are certainly cleaner». The sand problem, particularly in Vindicio, requires effective solutions. «With the erosion we are made a little safe because we carry out interventions, at the expense of private individuals, to carry over the sand in winter and summer. However, we hope for an overall intervention together with a serious nourishment project by the Region.”
Francesca Moscoloni, owner of Lido Frungillo in Vindicio (the oldest, together with Lido Bandiera, dating back to 1908), does not hide her concerns: «There is the problem of Bolkestein which doesn’t let us sleep peacefully. I have been working in the seaside sector for 25 years, problems never leave us. And among these is looking for staff that is not just seasonal.” In the meantime, however, an improvement in bathing is expected. «Yes, I can confirm it. We have clams, there are hermit crabs and, if they stopped trawling in front here, we would have many other positive things.” And the prices? «We haven’t increased them for two years, always trying to improve the product, we also have a pizzeria with a wood-fired oven. But in winter our coast is a bit neglected, because we are not given the opportunity to stay open. It would also be an advantage from a tourist point of view.”
Even in Gaeta the costs for umbrellas, deckchairs and cabins remain substantially unchanged, as confirmed by Angelo Magliozzi, owner of Lido Selene in Serapo and tourism councilor, who looks with confidence to the possible conquest, for the tenth consecutive year, of the blue flag. And requests for houses to rent for the summer? «At the moment there are not many, and the trend is similar to the national one, but we are still at the beginning and next year, with the Jubilee, there will certainly be a boom».
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