Tharros News reports on yet another step made by Greece to move deeper into a digital world:

“Catering and tourism businesses in Messinia are coming under intense pressure, as the changes brought about by the new law on the management of the coastline and beach (Law 5092/2024) create a new, stricter and financially burdensome landscape. This is noted, among others, by the Catering Association of Messinia, with detailed information to its members and neighboring businesses and is sounding the alarm, calling for immediate action and corrective interventions.”

“A key point is the deadline of April 30, 2026, by which applications for the concession of simple use of the seashore and beach must be submitted. The process is now carried out exclusively digitally through the gov.gr platform, which requires immediate mobilization by businesses in order to secure the right to deploy tables, chairs and umbrellas for this year’s tourist season.

The changes being introduced are sweeping. Applications are now submitted only electronically, completely abolishing previous procedures, while compliance with the terms of use – such as distances and permitted area – is controlled by modern digital means, through satellite monitoring and the “MyCoast” application. This is a system that drastically limits the margins of deviations, while increasing the risk of fines in cases of violations.”

This seems fair enough, doesn’t it? If a particular bar or taverna exceeds the boundaries of its beachfront entitlement in terms of placing sunbeds, then this is not fair. But Tharros concludes that there are also concerns surrounding consistent and more importantly, affordable costs in being able to use beaches in this way.

“The Messinia Catering Association calls on all competent bodies, the prefecture’s deputies and the Chamber to intervene immediately, in order to establish a fair and uniform framework of charges. At the same time, it raises the issue of retroactive correction of this year’s charges, proposing either their removal or their offset with next year’s charges, in the event that there are no immediate legislative changes.

“The sustainability of catering and tourism cannot be based on horizontal increases,” it is characteristically underlined, with the association calling for realistic prices that will allow professionals to operate under conditions of equality and dignity, at a time when operating costs remain high.”

What’s your view on the whole sunbed issue?