FOGGIA – Prices substantially in line with those of last year in the beach establishments of the province of Foggia, from the Gargano to the southern coast of the Gulf of Manfredonia.
In Vieste, which alone with over two million tourists is the locomotive of Apulian tourism (the Gargano city has more tourists than the three gems of Salento put together, namely Gallipoli, Otrabnto and Ugento), there are dozens of bathing establishments, all excellent and equipped, many also animal friendly.
«The season is expected to be as positive as last year – comments the mayor of Vieste Giuseppe Nobiletti -. We already have some foreigners, especially Germans. This year too there has been the rumor of rising prices on the beaches, which is obviously a false problem. Here in Vieste we are not seeing any increases. The prices are essentially those of last year.”
In this period along the Gargano coasts an umbrella and two deckchairs cost on average 15 euros. It reaches 25-30 euros in the central period of August even if there are some bathing establishments that will reach 40 euros, but we are in the order of 1 or 2% of the bathing establishments compared to the average which stands between 15 and 20 euros from Rodi in Peschici and Vieste, and often also with a parking space (especially in the Mattinata area).
The situation is different on the southern coast of the Gulf of Manfredonia (the splendid Siponto and all the beaches up to Ippocampo and Zapponeta). There is no pre-established price list but a common price list which the various beach establishment operators refer to, perhaps with even small variations depending on the offer of services. Almost all of them have a restaurant service and in the evening they offer music and nightlife. The basic reference prices charged in Siponto have not undergone substantial increases and are as follows: 15 euros per day for an umbrella and two sunbeds; subscriptions: monthly 220-270 euros; bimonthly 500 euros; whole season 650 euros.
The thirteen bathing establishments on the Siponto coast, dotted with beaches and tourist villages, have a total supply of umbrellas arranged at a safe distance, there are over three thousand and they are almost all occupied by bathers mainly coming from the provincial hinterland, starting from Foggia (Siponto is considered since the post-war period the beach of the people of Foggia who, to tell the truth, have valorised it as well as guaranteeing Manfredonia over 40% of the tax collections) thanks also to the train which is expressly activated in the two summer months of July and August. Foreigners are few and passing through.
The beach of Manfredonia has remained the traditional one frequented since 1890 dominated by the Manfredino castle. Less than a kilometer of beach on which six establishments operate offering around a thousand umbrellas. It is the beach for Manfredonians who book from one year to the next. And the prices are consequently higher: they vary, again for an umbrella and two sunbeds, from 15-20 euros per day, to 430 euros for a month, to 1,250 euros for the entire season. It is the sand, sun and sea beach.
Manfredonia offers a completely unique alternative, the suggestive “Acqua di Cristo” cliff. Last offshoot of the Gargano: low and easy rocks very popular, even by children. Without any expense. For aficionados who frequent it even in winter and take care of its order and hygiene, it is “Neverland”.
On this side of the Adriatic Gulf, seaside activities are now among the few remaining that contribute to the city’s meager economic budget, albeit limited to the summer period during which other activities linked to seaside hospitality take root. This is also a trend susceptible to structural developments that do not exist.
