A comparatively new phenomenon in Crete is the deployment of sunbeds and umbrellas on most beaches, even some pretty remote ones. It annoys me no end and I am not the only one but it does have its advantages: providing sunbeds is a job for which people have to have a license. The stretch of beach for which the license applies (and is paid for) has to be kept clean by the licensee and this is checked by the tourist police (or it might be the licensing municipality, I'm not sure). Although in my eyes it has spoilt the landscape I must admit that the beaches are now much cleaner (spotless in places) than they used to be and some have good facilities such as toilets, showers, children playgrounds etc. So let's not begrudge these few Euro.