# Some people don’t want to let other people have picnics on the beach > Source: > Published: 2026-07-08 05:00:00+00:00 There’s a big debate happening in [Puglia](https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/22/underrated-intriguing-seaside-city-get-a-new-uk-flight-26446848/) right now, the region that forms the heel of [Italy](https://metro.co.uk/tag/italy/)’s boot. Antonio Decaro, the Governor of the southern Italian region, has called for tourists and locals to be allowed to bring their own food and [drinks](https://metro.co.uk/tag/drinks/) to the beach. No big deal, right? But the move has caused division between the Governor, residents, and Puglia’s exclusive beach clubs. A little bit of background. Over the last couple of years, Italians have been up in arms over the [mass privatisation of the country’s beaches](https://metro.co.uk/2025/08/19/outrage-italy-exclusive-clubs-take-coast-steal-beaches-locals-23947542/). ### Ask Metro *Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.* [Private beach clubs](https://metro.co.uk/2025/05/27/spent-a-week-a-5-star-hotel-maldives-much-really-costs-23259893/), bars and restaurants are taking over the coastline, leaving locals with a shrinking number of free, public spaces. In recent years, the number of clubs has risen by 12%. Known as ‘stabilimento,’ customers pay a fee for sunbeds, umbrellas, food and drink, and use of the facilities. The privatisation has sparked widespread protests, with Italians demanding their coastline be accessible to everyone. Decaro hinted that the expansion of registered beach clubs is the main reason he spoke out. In a [Facebook](https://metro.co.uk/tag/facebook/) video on July 4, he said: ‘We are working to make the sea, more and more, an experience of freedom, for Apulians and for those who come from outside to discover this region.’ He added: ‘The sea is a common commodity; it cannot become a luxury. ‘No one can stop you from eating food on the beach that you’ve brought from home.’ Last year, consumer group Altroconsumo reported that renting a sunlounger in Italy now costs, on average, 17% more than it did four years ago. In Gallipoli, a popular resort in Puglia, daily prices hit around €90 (£78) during peak season. Decaro’s argument is simple: locals shouldn’t be priced out of their own homes and public spaces. ### Should you be allowed to bring your own food to the beach? - Yes - No ## What do Italians think? Italian travel influencer Maritia Mazzini agrees with Decaro, calling the idea a ‘positive decision.’ ‘If I’m already paying to access a beach club, I don’t think I should feel obliged to buy food or drinks there as well,’ she says. As long as people are respectful, clean up after themselves and follow the rules, Maritia thinks they should be free to bring their own food. Additionally, Maritia believes it’s important that public beaches remain available. ‘While beach clubs offer great services and comfort, and I understand their value, in many parts of Italy they now occupy such a large portion of the coastline that it can become difficult for locals and families to simply enjoy the sea without spending a significant amount of money,’ she says. Maritia’s believes there should always be a balance. ‘Beach clubs should absolutely exist for those who enjoy them, but public beaches should never disappear, so everyone can choose the experience that best suits their needs and budget.’ ## What do the experts think? Alexandra Dubakova, travel expert at [FreeTour,](https://www.freetour.com/) spends a lot of time in Italy. She also promotes the country through her company. Like Maritia, Alexandra says the problem isn’t tourists bringing their own lunch. It’s that too many Italian families feel they are running out of options. ‘In popular parts of Puglia, spending €70 to €90 for an umbrella and two loungers during August is normal, and once food and parking are added, a simple beach day can cost well over €100,’ she says. ‘For many locals, especially younger families, it becomes an occasional luxury.’ Alexandra adds that, while Italian beaches are public property, and obtain concessions for managing areas of the shoreline, ‘these concessions were never intended to turn the public beaches into places where everything about the visit must be paid for. ‘If people rent a beach chair and want to eat the sandwich they prepared that day or fruits that they purchased from the local market, then I don’t see this as threatening the business model,’ she explains. Timing is important. Around 33% of the Italian coastline has been leased out already, while many leaseholders have enjoyed automatic renewal of their leases for decades at very low prices paid to the state. This is coming to an end because of pressure from the [European Union](https://metro.co.uk/tag/european-union/), which has made Italy change to competitive tenders by 2027. Paradoxically, Alexandra says the possibility of bringing food might end up helping the beach clubs in the future. When individuals don’t feel forced to purchase every meal, they could be willing to rent the facilities out of respect rather than exploitation. ‘Hospitality is at its best when the clients spend money because they choose to, not because there are no other options available.’ She says the question here should be: is Italy’s coastline an asset that it shares with all of its citizens, or is access to it now a premium service? ‘It would be sad if the locals feel like the ocean belongs to the clients and not to the citizens.’ ## The other side of the coin Not everyone feels the same. Beach club operators say Decaro’s decision will destroy Puglia’s ‘image of excellence.’ Although Italian law allows picnics, beach clubs often deny tourists from entering with ‘outside’ food and drink. Signs that say ‘No outside food or drink allowed’ are common. Assoturismo, the Italian Federation of Tourism Enterprises, has claimed that people taking their own food to the beach has resulted in littering. The association said it will inconvenience other beachgoers, and that the Governor has ‘encouraged behaviour that lowers quality standards.’ Nicola Ragno, president of the Assoturismo branch in Vieste, told [The Times](https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/italy-private-beach-clubs-tourists-bring-own-food-vx7hx3wsl): ‘It’s not about just a sandwich: some people think they can bring all sorts of food with them, starter, main, fruit — whole meals. #### Our Top Shopping Picks Safari park near London is offering tickets and a safari experience from £60 for two Best carry-on suitcase for overpackers? 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