Catch 'em Red-Handed: Italy Slaps Millions in Fines on Tour Agencies for Colosseum Ticket Scam
Pending Decision on Implementation of the Specified Measures by the Commission
In the heart of Rome, where the Colosseum stands as a testament to Rome's rich history, the Italian government is putting an end to the hustle. Sneaky travel agencies have been illegally hoarding and reselling tickets, leaving tourists high and dry. But worries not, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is bringing those scoundrels to justice.
Recently, the Italian competition authority has handed down fines totalling a hefty €20 million to a ticket agency for the Colosseum and several international travel agencies. Why, you ask? Well, they've been accused of the dirty deed—hoarding tickets for the ancient arena and archaeological park, then hiking up the prices on other platforms. How crafty, eh?
These unscrupulous agencies employed bots and other underhanded automated systems to snap up Colosseum tickets like hotcakes. As a result, visitors were left with no choice but to purchase pricey packages with extra goods and services, like skipping the line or guided tours, from other providers.
The nearly 2000-year-old Roman landmark, a symbol of the Eternal City, is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions. It was built in the 1st century AD and is the world's largest amphitheater. Gladiatorial games were once held here in ancient Rome, and it draws millions of visitors from all over the globe annually.
So brace yourself, sneaky scoundrels! The game's up.
Disgraced Partners
CoopCulture, the ticket agency managing the official ticket sales for the Colosseum from 1997 to 2024, is at the heart of the scandal. The competition authority claims that CoopCulture turned a blind eye to this unsavory practice.
In addition to CoopCulture, six tour operators from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland were also fined. They were said to have used the same devious bots and automated systems to hoard vast quantities of tickets, then hawk them on their platforms.
Italy's Antitrust Authority Punishes Pranksters
The AGCM—Italy's antitrust authority—played the role of vigilante, investigating these agencies and ultimately dishing out sensitive fines. The largest fine of €7 million was handed to CoopCulture for failing to stop the automated ticket hoarding and reserving a substantial number of tickets for its own guided tours. This practice created a shortage of standard tickets for consumers.
Seven Sinners
The seven naughty tour operators were also fined for their misdeeds:
- Operators in the Hot Seat: Tiqets International BV, Walks LLC, GetYourGuide, Italy With Family S.r.l., Musement S.p.A., and City Wonders Limited.
- Deplorable Tactics: These operators employed bots and suspicious automated systems to bulk buy tickets, later selling them at inflated prices, often bundling them with services like guided tours and priority access.
The Consumer Loses, Yet Again
The actions of these agencies made it nearly impossible for consumers to purchase standard tickets at face value (€18 per ticket). Instead, tourists were often compelled to buy more costly packages that included additional services, significantly upping the cost of visiting the Colosseum.
Defiant Denials and Furious Fights
Some of the fined companies have announced plans to contest the penalties, denying the allegations. GetYourGuide, for example, labeled the ruling as "unfounded" and vowed to defend its shady practices. CoopCulture, too, plans to challenge the fine, expressing confidence in the court to rectify the situation.
Stay tuned as the story unfolds and justice is served. In the meantime, watch out for friendly-looking travel agencies and be sure to grab your Colosseum tickets from the official sources.
- Italy
- Rome
- Tourism industry
- Travel agencies
- Scams and fraud
[1] ntv.de[2] CMI[3] dpa[4] colosseumromantours.com
- The Italian competition authority imposed a significant €20 million fine on CoopCulture, an agency responsible for Colosseum ticket sales, for failing to stop the illegal hoarding and reselling of tickets, acting in compliance with the community policy against such practices.
- Six overseas tour operators, including ones from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland, were also fined for using automated systems to hoard Colosseum tickets and resell them at inflated prices, proving that such deceptive practices are not exclusive to Italian agencies.
- Vocational training in the tourism industry may have been beneficial for these agencies to avoid such scandals in the future, teaching them effective and ethical ways to handle ticket sales and ensure a fair experience for consumers at the Colosseum and other tourist attractions in Rome.
