9 million euro loss: New rule drives visitors away from popular Mediterranean island

White sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, French cuisine – the island of Corsica has everything that makes a Mediterranean vacation so wonderful. But the number of tourists is declining. This is due to a new anchoring regulation that primarily affects yachts over 24 meters in length. Port operators are sounding the alarm. Larger vessels are no longer allowed to anchor near the coast to protect the seagrass meadows .

"It is impossible for boats over 24 meters to anchor. This has consequences for everyone on the island," complained Michel Mallaroni, director of the Bonifacio marina, to the "Figaro."

The new regulation will lead to a significant decline in visitor numbers. Mallaroni estimates that port towns like Saint-Florent and Calvi could lose up to 40 percent of their visitors. The island's revenue will also suffer. "The loss is estimated at nine million euros," says the marina director, because these are "customers with high purchasing power."

Local politicians and port operators are seeking solutions that take both environmental protection and economic interests into account. The introduction of buoys or mooring boxes is proposed as a compromise solution.

Cruises are also affected by the increased prices. Tourists arriving by ship must pay a surcharge of €20 per stop. This measure is intended to contribute to the preservation of tourist sites.

• Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea and the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily, Sardinia, and Cyprus. It lies west of Italy, southeast of mainland France, and north of Sardinia.
• The island is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte . He was born in Ajaccio on August 15, 1769. Napoleon would later become Emperor of the French and play a significant role in European history.
• In addition to French, Corsican is also spoken in Corsica, a Romance language closely related to Italian.