Discover how Agrigento, a popular Sicilian vacation spot, is turning tourists away due to severe water shortages. Learn about the impacts on tourism and agriculture.
Set atop a hill on the Italian island of Sicily, Agrigento is a heritage tourist’s paradise, known for its stunning Valley of the Temples. Beneath these ancient archaeological structures lies a historic aqueduct system that still captures water today. However, this system, along with modern ones, is running dry, forcing small hotels and guesthouses to turn tourists away due to a lack of water.
Water Restrictions and Their Impact
Sicily began enforcing water restrictions in February after the region declared a state of emergency due to relentless drought. The island's aging infrastructure has exacerbated the shortages, impacting both tourism and agriculture, crucial sectors for Sicily’s economy. Over 1 million people across 93 communities are under rationing, with some reducing water consumption by up to 45%. This has led to scheduled dry taps and complete overnight shutoffs.
On travel forums like TripAdvisor, potential visitors are questioning the viability of trips to Sicily’s affected areas. Hotels are preemptively warning clients about potential water shortages and assisting with rebooking in less impacted areas. The owners of Le Cinque Novelle B&B in Agrigento have installed filters to save water, but guests still complain. "People ask us for reassurances before coming, but we don’t know what to say," said Giovanni Lopez, the B&B owner.
Economic Consequences and Government Response
The water crisis is severely impacting the local economy, especially the tourism sector, which many in Agrigento rely on. The Sicilian regional government has requested subsidies from Rome to import water from the mainland but has yet to implement a concrete plan. Italy's tourism minister, Diana Santanchè, suggested spreading out the tourism season to alleviate summer water issues but provided no immediate solutions.
Last year’s wildfires already affected tourism, and now drought-triggered water shortages are another hurdle. Climate change is intensifying these issues, with Sicily experiencing record-breaking temperatures and extreme drought conditions, according to the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).
The Local Struggle
Local businesses and residents are feeling the strain. Marco Maccarrone, owner of Caico Trattoria e Cantina restaurant in Agrigento, expressed concern over the lack of alternatives. "We are paying for water tankers ourselves," he said. "This risks destroying our only resource: tourism." Hotels are required to maintain water reserves, but smaller establishments, including family-run hotels and B&Bs, struggle to meet these requirements.
Francesco Picarella, head of Agrigento’s Hotel Federation, highlighted years of ineffective governance as a contributing factor. Although there has been talk of rebuilding the water network since 2011, little progress has been made. "Today’s problem is the result of a failed water management policy," he said.
Agricultural Impact and Future Outlook
The drought is also devastating agriculture. Farmers like Luca Cammarata, who owns an organic farm near Caltanissetta, face dire choices due to water scarcity. The lack of rain and reduced water levels in reservoirs have forced some farmers to consider culling their herds. Citrus farmers are seeing their crops shrivel, and the reservoirs around Mount Etna, essential for irrigation, are alarmingly low.
Sicily’s regional president, Renato Schifani, reported over €1 billion in losses due to crop failures, empty reservoirs, and dying livestock. This figure doesn't account for the potential loss in tourism revenue as visitors rebook in other parts of the island.
Agrigento’s water crisis is a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges facing Sicily. Without immediate and effective solutions, the island's vital tourism and agricultural sectors remain at risk. As the situation worsens, the call for sustainable water management and infrastructure improvements becomes ever more urgent.
Source: CNN
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