A German tourist was awarded €900 in compensation after complaining about his and his family's inability to use sunbeds during their holiday in Greece, due to other guests reserving them with towels before sunrise. This case highlights a facet of the "sunbed wars" that has become a common occurrence in tourist resorts.
The tourist, whose name has not been disclosed, filed a complaint following a trip to the Greek island of Kos in 2024. He reported spending about 20 minutes each day searching for sunbeds, despite waking up at 6 AM to secure a spot for himself and his family. His children suffered from the lack of seating, forcing them to lie on the ground.
Details of the Incident
After this experience, the tourist decided to sue the travel company that organized his trip, claiming that the towel reservation system rendered the sunbeds unusable. Initially, he received €350 in compensation, but the court in Hanover ruled that the amount was insufficient, awarding him €986.70 as compensation for a holiday that cost him €7186.
During the trial, the tourist asserted that the company was aware of the ban on towel reservations at the resort but failed to take any action to enforce this prohibition. The court determined that the company, despite not managing the resort, should have ensured a reasonable ratio of sunbeds to guests.
Background & Context
The phenomenon of "sunbed wars" is not new, peaking in the summer of 2025 when videos circulated on social media showing tourists in Tenerife sleeping on sunbeds to guarantee a spot by the pool. Other clips depicted tourists running around the pool at the Paradis Park hotel to place towels on the sunbeds.
In some areas of Spain, tourists have been threatened with fines of €250 for reserving sunbeds, prompting some travel companies to reconsider their policies regarding sunbeds.
Impact & Consequences
This case raises questions about how tourist resorts manage their facilities and their ability to provide a comfortable experience for tourists. It also reflects the challenges faced by the tourism industry amid increasing visitor numbers and competition among resorts.
This case could lead to changes in policies regarding sunbeds, as resorts may need to implement stricter measures to prevent towel reservations, which could enhance guest experiences and reduce conflicts among them.
Regional Significance
Tourism is a vital sector in many Arab countries, with numerous economies relying on tourists. Therefore, effective management of tourist facilities can significantly impact visitor satisfaction. Arab resorts can benefit from the lessons learned from this case by improving their policies regarding the distribution of sunbeds and providing a comfortable and safe environment for tourists.
In conclusion, this case reflects the challenges facing global tourism and highlights the importance of enhancing the visitor experience in tourist resorts.