Rome is looking for ways to curb overtourism and the “lack of respect” for one of the city’s most famous destinations.
ADVERTISING
Rome may soon introduce an entrance fee for its most famous attraction – the Trevi Fountain. The Italian capital wants to introduce such a system in order to minimize the number of visitors and promote “sustainable tourism”.
The 18th-century fountain has long been a must-see for tourists in the Eternal City. But the attraction is constantly overcrowded and swarming with pickpockets.
“Personally, I would be in favor of a new form of access to the Trevi Fountain, limited and time-limited,” Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s councilor for tourism, told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
The city administration explains that if the system is implemented, it would work like a ticket reservation system – free for Romans and a symbolic euro for tourists.
Tourists are against paying
Tourists and locals don’t seem to be keen on the idea of charging an entrance fee to the Trevi Fountain. Sam Muñoz, a tourist from Spain, says: “If you put a price on it, I think it doesn’t reflect the value. The fountain is beautiful, all these people come from all over the world and they want to put a price on it? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Silvio Luciania from Canada is also not enthusiastic: “You know, you shouldn’t have to pay a price to see this, it’s there for everyone, people who don’t have euros shouldn’t have to pay anything.”
No money-making, but tourist control
The city emphasizes that the goal is not to make money, but to minimize and control the number of visitors.
Mary, who owns a shop near the Trevi Fountain, doesn’t understand how such an idea can even be implemented: “To get to the Trevi Fountain, there are four entrances, so how are you supposed to pay? How is that supposed to work? Will they (the administration in Rome) explain it? Is all this fuss worth it for one euro? I don’t think so.”
Daniela, a pharmacist who works nearby, thinks the measure makes sense. She emphasizes the historical heritage of the Trevi Fountain:
“(The Trevi Fountain) is a historical heritage that must be preserved and this square is not that big, it is a small square you have to set a quota (for entry) so that tourists have to pay entry even if they just want to throw a coin.”
So far, the entrance fee is just an idea – nothing concrete has been decided yet.
