Italian vacation hotspot turning tourists away as it runs out of water

Perched gracefully on a hill in Sicily, Agrigento beckons to heritage tourists with its rich archaeological treasures and historical allure. However, Agrigento is currently grappling with a pressing issue that threatens its tourism industry and daily life: severe water shortages exacerbated by an enduring drought.

Agrigento is a haven for heritage tourists.

Below the archaeological marvels and remnants of its Valley of the Temples lies an ancient aqueduct system, a maze-like network that continues to channel water even today, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

However, both ancient and modern aqueducts in Agrigento are currently experiencing severe water shortages. This crisis has reached a point where small hotels and guesthouses in the city and along the nearby coast are having to deny tourists accommodation. The scarcity of water means they cannot guarantee guests access to basic amenities like functional toilets or showers after a day spent under the summer sun.

Sicily initiated water rationing measures in February due to an ongoing drought, prompting the region to declare a state of emergency.

The problem has been exacerbated by deteriorating, old infrastructure, which has exacerbated the shortages affecting both tourism and agriculture, two critical sectors of Sicily's economy.

Water rationing is now in effect for over 1 million residents across 93 communities. Some areas are required to reduce water usage by as much as 45 per cent. This results in scheduled dry taps and complete overnight shutdowns of supply in most locations. Ensuring an adequate drinking water supply has become a matter of careful planning throughout the day.

Tourists visiting Sicily are increasingly questioning the viability of visiting areas affected by water shortages, as seen on TripAdvisor and other travel platforms. Hotels are cautioning their clients about potential water scarcity issues and assisting them in relocating to other parts of the island where restrictions are less stringent or absent.

At Le Cinque Novelle bed and breakfast (B&B) in central Agrigento, where water restrictions are particularly strict, the owners have installed filters on their showers and sinks to conserve water. Despite these efforts, guests frequently express dissatisfaction due to the limited water availability.

Giovanni Lopez, owner of Le Cinque Novelle B&B in central Agrigento, expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding water availability to potential guests, telling CNN, "Rightly, people ask us for reassurances before coming, but we don’t know what to say." He highlighted the widespread impact on the tourism sector, crucial to Sicily's economy.

The Sicilian regional government has appealed to Rome for subsidies to import water from the mainland, yet concrete assistance plans for the island are still pending. Italy’s tourism minister, Diana Santanchè, did not respond to CNN's request for comment, but previously suggested Sicily diversify its tourism season to mitigate the worsening water issues during summer.

Summers in Sicily are increasingly intolerable for residents and visitors alike. Last year, the island faced devastating wildfires that compelled tourists to evacuate or delay their trips. Now, the water shortages stemming from the ongoing drought add another layer of concern.

Human-induced climate change is accelerating the warming of Europe at an unprecedented rate, with Sicily experiencing some of the most drastic effects. In August 2023, Syracuse set a new temperature record for Europe at 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 degrees Fahrenheit), underscoring the severity of the climate crisis in the region.

Other regions of Italy are grappling with drought conditions, but Sicily's situation has been classified as "extreme," the highest level of severity according to the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). During the winter, less than a quarter of the usual rainfall occurred across the island, resulting in approximately 20 per cent of underground aquifers reaching a state of "water scarcity," as reported by ISPRA.

In response to the crisis, the regional government declared a "state of crisis and water emergency" for irrigation and drinking purposes in Agrigento and four other provinces. This emergency declaration is expected to remain in effect until at least the end of the year.

Marco Maccarrone, owner of the Caico Trattoria e Cantina restaurant in Agrigento, expresses frustration that Sicily feels abandoned in its struggle with water shortages. "The summer season is upon us and we are worried. No one has given us alternative solutions to the water tankers that we are paying for ourselves," he told CNN. Maccarrone emphasized the critical importance of tourism to the region's economy and fears that the ongoing water crisis could devastate this vital industry.

Having lived in Agrigento's historical center for 20 years, Maccarrone describes the daily challenges he faces due to the slow water supply. "In half an hour, we can’t fill a single pot," he lamented, highlighting the severe impact of the shortages on daily life and business operations in the city.