How would you feel if a white sandy beach was full of sand? "Beach chair" capitalism covering natural areas?

Greek beaches are suffering from this problem and have sparked a protest movement. The emergence of the "beach towel" has reclaimed the beach area.

When beaches are "not enough space" for us!

In recent years, Greece has become one of the most visited countries in the world. Apart from the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Floating Monastery of Meteora, this is the most popular of the 'Greek beaches'.

But as these beaches became more popular everything became more capitalist too. Nowadays it's one of the beaches in Greece, especially the "Monastiri Beach" at the northern end of Paros, which is almost completely covered in sand and has a set of red parachutes on the front seats, which cost 70 euros to rent).

But less than half of them are booked the day before, as Greeks and tourists don't want to use the service and hide under the nearby trees. When the beach is full of umbrella rental stores like this one

"In some cases they cover 100% of the beach. Unless they use the services of a beach bar with its own chairs," said Nicholas Stefaneu, a 70-year-old local resident.

Protest for return of sand ......

Over the past few weeks, businesses on the beach have left little sand for them to lay their towels on. Hundreds of people of all genders and ages have been marching on three beaches with signs saying "Return our beaches" as part of the so-called "Save Paros Beach" campaign since the beginning of July.

A protest called the "Beach Towel Movement" has been launched all over the country, in the social media sphere, from Corfu in the north to Crete in the south.

Although Greek beaches are public, local authorities rent out parts of them to bars, restaurants and hotels. Although no more than 50% of the beach area should be used, many businesses are expanding illegally. More space is taken than is rented. In addition, "VIP" lounge chairs can cost up to 120 euros ($150).

Meanwhile, on Colimbi Terrace beach, the island's Kolymbithres also operates about 10 rows of sun loungers that cover the beach.

He and his wife couldn't find a place to put their own parasols. "We can't go left. Can't go right. There's no room for us."

"Everyone should be able to go to the beach. But it shouldn't depend on their income," Hoda Sleeman

said as the move spread. Staff came out immediately to take action, and in late July inspectors landed on two beaches on Paros and removed sun loungers. The Greek High Court prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the abuses on Paros and Serifos.

Between July 21 and August 8, inspectors carried out more than 900 inspections of Greek beaches. A third of the cases are penalized .

"We should take responsibility," he said. As for the citizens' campaign, he said it was "too much" and pointed out that at least 30 beaches in Paros do not charge for chairs. The campaign may be politically motivated. That's because there will be local elections this October.

"In a country where the pursuit of profit is unreasonable. Greeks are taking steps to take back their public space," said Seraphim Seferides, a professor of political science and history at the Pantheon University in Athens.

"People will protest until justice is restored," said Eleni Andrianopoulou. a spokesperson for the Naxos Island protest movement, said.

Indeed, not all visitors support the movement.

"I don't agree ...... that there's enough room for everyone. I came here last year and it was so nice to sit on a beach chair." said Theophilos Afusenidis, 45, an accountant who frequents Marcelo Beach on the northwest coast of Paros Island. S, a 29-year-old resident of Paros who lives in Athens, said he was happy that officials forced businesses to close.

What do you think? Do you like beach chairs all over the beach? Or should it really be only white sandy beaches on the sea?