Italy's beaches - open for business but closed to competition

(Reuters) - Italy's beaches are a family affair – and that’s a problem for the euro zone's third-largest economy.

Most of the beaches along Italy’s 7,500 kilometres of sun-kissed coast have for decades been managed by small businesses operating concessions that are passed on from generation to generation.

Though licences are state-owned, they rarely come up for public bids, allowing Italy’s balneari – or beach managers – to keep a tight grip on amenities ranging from single-shack parasol rentals to up-market bars and restaurants.

The balneari say the all-in-the-family system keeps costs low for beachgoers. But local and foreign entrepreneurs say they’re being shut out.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/06/18/uk-italy-beaches-insight-idUKKBN0ET0I520140618

First time I went there was the summer of 1968 having driven down to Rome from London. Not being used to private beaches the concept mystified me at first - no such thing in the UK. Must confess they were considerably cleaner that our UK beaches at the time and having showers on the beach a sheer delight.