Italy: Tourists pay much higher prices than locals – despite police efforts
When in Rome, you will be ripped off – that is the message for visitors to the “eternal city” if a report in The Independent is to be believed.
The newspaper, quoting a report from its Italian counterpart Il Messagero, states that cheating tourists is commonplace, and that there are “different tier” pricing structures in operation at many of the city’s famous sites. At one, writes Peter Popham, a half-litre of Coke will cost a local four and a half euros, a tourist will pay eight euros for the same bottle.
And at a stall near the Colosseum things are worse, the article continues. Despite the close attention of the city’s tax police, for a miniature replica of the famous arena, locals are charged 10 euros, “other” Italians 45 euros and foreigners 105 euros.
The Independent suggests desperation is the reason for the overcharging – visitor numbers are “disastrously down”, especially those from the United States and Japan. News From Abroad, of course, is not for one minute suggesting that similar things do not go on in other parts of the world!
