After Spain, it is Italy's turn to give the green light to the transformation of some of its lighthouses into hotels. By this approach, the country wishes to avoid the degradation of its cultural heritage while bringing money into the coffers.
According to AFP, eleven lighthouses should soon be transformed into hotels, mainly on the southern coast of Italy. The Italian State hopes to pocket between 700,000 and 800,000 euros per year through this operation.
The lighthouses will remain State property, but will be leased to private operators. Some of the lighthouses concerned will still be in operation after their transformation. If the experiment is successful, it should be extended in the future to some 40 lighthouses (there are more than 150 in the country).
Roter Sand Hotel Lighthouse in Germany
In Spain's footsteps
Italy is thus following the example of Spain, which recently gave its agreement to the same type of operation. The first Spanish project concerns the renovation and conversion into a hotel establishment of a lighthouse on 19 e century located on the island of Pancha, in the village of Ribadeo. As in Italy, the Spanish State wishes to'develop the economy and tourism'. Permits have also been granted for other buildings.
But these reconversions are not unanimously accepted. Opponents criticize the entrepreneurs of these projects for wanting to create"elite tourism". The price of overnight stays envisaged for future Spanish establishments is indeed relatively high (between 150 and 300 euros per night). The environmental risks associated with the influx of tourists to sites that are mostly classified as nature reserves are also mentioned.
A concept already well tested in the North
In northern Europe, the concept has been around longer. In Norway, for example, more than 60 historic lighthouses have already been converted into accommodation sites. In France too, some lighthouses offer accommodation such as the Kerbel lighthouse in Brittany or the Fatouville lighthouse in Normandy. Other countries where travellers can spend the night in a lighthouse include Croatia, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
