**Extortionate Sunbed Prices in Limassol Raise Concerns Among Locals**
Limassol, Cyprus – Visitors to a public beach in Limassol have expressed their outrage over what they describe as exorbitant charges for sunbed rentals. Scott Ashman, a local resident, reported that his family was charged €10 per sunbed at a beach operated by Baywatch, located to the right of the Four Seasons hotel when facing the sea.
Ashman, who has frequented this beach for years, voiced his discontent, stating that such pricing is unacceptable for a public beach. “I was horrified to hear that they were charged €10 per sunbed. This is a public beach where the municipality is allowing extortion of visitors,” he remarked.
The issue of high sunbed prices is not new for Ashman. He recalled a similar experience three years ago at Petite Plage, where he raised concerns about what he termed "illegal behavior" by beach operators. His complaints, he claims, were dismissed by the authorities. “This extortionate behaviour has now spread like a virus and our public beaches are being sold off bit by bit,” he added.
Ashman holds the local municipality accountable for the situation, asserting that they are responsible for managing the tenders for beach operators and ensuring compliance with regulations. “They need to enforce the law. I want to know how we are allowing these beach operators to skirt the law and charge whatever they want?” he questioned.
The rising costs of sunbed rentals on public beaches have sparked discussions among residents and visitors alike, with many calling for increased oversight and regulation to protect the interests of beachgoers. As the summer season approaches, the local government may face mounting pressure to address these concerns and ensure that public beaches remain accessible and affordable for all.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the municipality will respond to the growing dissatisfaction regarding sunbed pricing and the management of public beach areas.