Archaeologists and guides among critics who say scheme goes against what symbol of democracy should represent
More than 22,000 people visited the Acropolis each day last summer, forcing authorities to introduce controls including a time-slot system.More than 22,000 people visited the Acropolis each day last summer, forcing authorities to introduce controls including a time-slot system.ackie and Malcolm Love stood amid a bevy of tourists in the heart of Athens taking in the Acropolis with a mixture of awe and admiration.
The Acropolis is by far Greece’s biggest attraction, drawing more than 22,000 visitors a day last summer, forcing authorities to The very idea, she said, was “unacceptably exclusive”. After all, the monument was the emblem of democratic Athens in which citizens enjoyed equality before the law.is willing to give people who have money the ability to enjoy the Acropolis in a very exclusive way while leaving out those who simply don’t have such means. We’re utterly opposed to it,” Koutsoumba added.
Opponents of the scheme have questioned the wisdom of the decision at a time when the country’s wealth gap has become ever more accentuated. “It’s plain elitist,” said Costas Zambas, who headed restoration works at the Acropolis for more than 25 years. “If they push back opening hours to 9am because of these private tours it’s going to be a disaster,” said Kriton Piperas, who until recently was the head of the 4,000-strong Panhellenic Federation of Tourist Guides. “For several years our union has been pressing for the Acropolis to open earlier precisely because of the changing weather. Don’t forget with the lack of shade it’s that much hotter up there.
In her office overlooking a central Athens boulevard, Valakou said the culture ministry had taken the criticism onboard. The tours, it is estimated, could bring in up to €40,000 a day, with proceeds going to cash-starved cultural projects.
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