GIULIANOVA. Uncertain situation in the seaside area of Giulianova: this is the alarm raised by Gianni Flagnani, president of Coba (the consortium of seaside resorts), after the latest sentence issued by the Council of State. Tension in the seaside sector continues to persist, after the massive protest in Rome organized by the Sib (seaside resort union): the latest ruling from the judiciary has amplified this feeling of uncertainty. The central issue concerns the application of the Bolkestein directive, with the Council of State confirming the expiration of state concessions for beaches on 31 December 2023. These provisions oblige municipal administrations, including that of Giulianova, to revoke any exemptions granted, carrying forward the tender procedure for the assignment of the beaches, in a “truly competitive” context, i.e. in line with the European Bolkestein directive.
«We are navigating in uncertainty», says Flagnani, who is also the owner of a chalet on the monumental seafront, the Altamarea lido, «a few days before the start of the 2024 summer season: we bathers have already started to set up the beaches, we are at work amidst a thousand difficulties, including the shortage of lifeguards, to which is added this new pronouncement which invites us to prepare the tender notices immediately.” Flagnani, like his colleagues in the seaside sector, is now waiting for answers from the Meloni government. «There is no technical time to be able to call the tenders, we are in late May», continues the president of Coba, «nor have the criteria on which the public evidence will have to be based to win the concessions have been defined: the government must therefore clarify and above all a reform to guarantee and protect companies in the sector. Let’s not forget that behind the beach establishments there are families who have worked and invested in their business, enhancing the local tourism sector.”
Finally, Flagnani talks about a further rule that is putting the managers of various establishments in difficulty: the obligation to supply drinking water also for showers and foot washes, with the aim of better protecting the health of citizens. «To build the system, an investment of around 10 thousand euros will be needed», concludes the bather, «I will therefore be forced to use both the showers and the foot washes on a coin-operated basis: an expense that is difficult to recoup within a year».
©ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
