Agrigento, perched on a hill on the Italian island of Sicily, is renowned for its rich heritage and archaeological treasures in the Valley of the Temples. Beneath these ancient structures lies a network of aqueducts, some dating back to antiquity, which continue to capture water to this day. However, these aqueducts, along with newer ones, are now running perilously dry, forcing small hotels and guesthouses in the city and along the coast to turn away tourists due to inadequate water supply.
Since February, Sicily has been under enforced water restrictions following a state of emergency declaration due to an unrelenting drought. The situation has been exacerbated by leaky, aging infrastructure, severely impacting tourism and agriculture—two pillars of Sicily’s economy.
Rationing measures affect over one million people across 93 communities, with some areas cutting water consumption by as much as 45%. Taps run dry according to strict schedules, and overnight water supply is completely shut off in many places. Residents and tourists alike must carefully manage their water usage during the day to ensure they have enough to drink.
On platforms like TripAdvisor, potential visitors are questioning the feasibility of traveling to Sicily’s drought-impacted areas. Hotels are proactively warning clients about possible shortages and assisting them in rebooking accommodations in less affected parts of the island.
At Le Cinque Novelle bed and breakfast in central Agrigento, where water restrictions are particularly stringent, owners have installed filters on showers and sinks to conserve as much water as possible. Despite these measures, guests often express frustration. “Rightly, people ask us for reassurances before coming, but we don’t know what to say,” Giovanni Lopez, the B&B’s owner, told CNN. He emphasized that the water crisis is rapidly affecting the entire tourist accommodation sector, threatening serious economic repercussions in a region heavily dependent on tourism.
In response to the crisis, the Sicilian regional government has sought subsidies from Rome to import water from the mainland, though no concrete plan has yet been established. Italy’s tourism minister, Diana Santanchè, did not respond to CNN’s request for comment. However, in April, she suggested that Sicily should attempt to spread out its tourism season to reduce the pressure during summer, when water shortages are most acute.
As Sicily grapples with this severe drought, the future of its tourism sector remains uncertain. The island’s ability to attract and accommodate visitors amidst these water constraints will be crucial in determining the economic stability of regions like Agrigento.
