A German holidaymaker has been awarded £850 in compensation after his tour operator failed to enforce a ban on reserving sun loungers with towels during a 2024 holiday in Greece. The ruling by a court in Hanover has prompted hotels and resorts to step up efforts to curb the controversial practice.
The man, identified as David Eggert, told the court he spent around 20 minutes each day searching for available loungers despite waking up at 6am. He said his children were forced to lie on the floor because no sunbeds were free. The hotel had about 400 loungers, but many were left unattended for hours while guests went into town or back to bed.
Speaking after the ruling, Eggert described it as a 'very, very important ruling' and warned travel companies that if thousands of holidaymakers start suing, costs could run into millions. The case has reignited debate over sunbed etiquette at European resorts.
Some resorts are already introducing stricter measures. A holidaymaker in France told the BBC that staff at Mediterranean camps sound a horn twice a day; if guests are not at their loungers, items are removed to lost property. Online, many travellers have shared similar frustrations, with one Facebook user suggesting moving abandoned towels.
