The Battle for Prime Poolside Real Estate
The quest for the perfect sunbed spot has become a global phenomenon, with travelers across the world competing for the best loungers. This year, the competition has been particularly fierce, as many holidaymakers arrive early to claim their spots before others even wake up. While most resorts prohibit the reservation of sunbeds, it’s common to see them draped with towels while guests are off enjoying breakfast—a practice that is widely considered poor travel etiquette.
According to a YouGov survey involving over 2,500 UK adults, certain regions have emerged as the most notorious for this behavior. The West Midlands tops the list, with residents being the most likely to get up early to secure their sunbeds. This was closely followed by people from England’s North West and North East, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In contrast, those living in the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber are least likely to wake up early to snatch a lounger. Across the UK, 12% of respondents admitted to this behavior, with people in Northern Ireland and Wales slightly above the average. Scotland, on the other hand, came in at 10%.
Interestingly, this trend has seen a decline compared to five years ago, when 72% of respondents admitted to reserving sunbeds. Benjy Potter, a spokesperson for GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities, noted that “the days of getting up at the crack of dawn to simply sit are fading fast.” However, social media footage from this summer suggests that the early morning scramble for sunbeds is still very much alive.
Changing Travel Habits
Despite the decline in sunbed reservations, some habits remain unchanged. Almost a quarter of Brits still indulge in a full English breakfast at the airport before jetting off. Meanwhile, alcohol consumption on holiday has taken a hit, with 30% of UK travelers reporting they drink less now than they did five years ago. Only 12% admit to having a tipple at the airport before flying, with those in the North East (18%) most likely to grab a pint at Wetherspoons.
However, despite these changes, some tourists continue to behave poorly abroad. This week, holidaymakers were left shocked as a “stampede” unfolded for prime sunbed spots at a popular five-star hotel in Crete. The incident was sparked by influencers who wanted to take selfies all day, which infuriated other guests. Dozens of guests were seen rushing toward available loungers as the pool opened for the day, resulting in chaotic scenes at Akasha Beach Hotel & Spa on the Greek island of Crete.
A New Kind of Revenge
Earlier this month, British summer workers took matters into their own hands in Zante after encountering selfish tourists who reserved sunbeds. In response, they decided to “hide” the towels and fling them up trees. Waitress Millie Newsham, 20, was on her way back to her hotel room at 6am after a night out with friends when she noticed towels had been placed on sunbeds to reserve them. Footage shows the group dragging the towels off the loungers, scattering them around the poolside, and even flinging them onto railings and a tree.
This act of defiance highlights the growing frustration among locals and fellow travelers who find the practice of reserving sunbeds with towels to be both unfair and disrespectful. As travel trends evolve, so too do the ways in which people respond to such behaviors—sometimes through humor, sometimes through direct action.
