The unexpected closure of Italy's
famous Pompeii archaeological site due to a trade union meeting
on Friday makes Italy look like a fool on the global stage, the
president of Naples' Chamber of Commerce Maurizio Maddaloni
said.
"Even the Parthenon in the height of the Greek crisis did
not close its doors to tourists," Maddaloni said on Friday.
"We are making a fool of ourselves on the world stage and
once again those that pay are the uninformed tourists and travel
businesses that organise tours and excursions in one of the most
visited places in our country."
Tourists were surprised Friday morning by a sudden closure
of the 2000-year-old site due to a meeting of trade unions.
Reports said that long lines snaked around the entry gates,
which were closed at 9 a.m. for a meeting of members of the
CISL, UNSA, FILP and FP unions.
Maddaloni said Pompeii could be one of Italy's strongest
selling points, but he said its image had been spoilt by years
of neglect.
"On one hand, the government needs to develop a strategy to
prevent sudden closures of the site, and on the other hand,
unions and workers need to assume their responsibilities," he
said.
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