Italian Official Brands Tourists Behaving Badly as ‘Vandals’ Following Series of Viral Incidents

• The tourism minister of Italy has denounced tourists who misbehave during their visits to the country, referring to them as “vandals” and accusing them of lacking respect for Italy’s cultural heritage.
• Since June, there have been multiple instances of bad tourist behavior in Italy that have gone viral.

AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

The tourism minister of Italy, Daniela Santanchè, strongly criticized tourists for their misconduct in the country during the summer season.

In an interview with CBS, Santanchè referred to these tourists as “vandals” who show no regard for Italy’s cultural heritage, emphasizing that it belongs not just to Italy but to the entire world. She proposed a straightforward solution: if you damage something, you must pay for it.

Italy is a highly sought-after destination for travelers, particularly during the summer months. However, the past two months have witnessed a series of incidents that reflect poorly on tourists’ behavior.

In June, a video went viral showing a man carving his and his girlfriend’s initials into the Colosseum, which led to local government intervention. The man later apologized, claiming ignorance about the age and significance of the monument. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $16,000.

In July, a 17-year-old Swiss teenager was investigated by Italian authorities for defacing the Colosseum with the letter “N,” as captured in a video recorded by a tour guide. Another video from Rome showed a woman climbing into the Trevi Fountain to fill her water bottle.

This week, even the prime minister of Italy was involved in an incident where he paid the bill for four Italian travelers who dined and dashed at a restaurant in Albania.

Similar challenges with tourists have also emerged in other popular tourist destinations, including Paris. Recently, two Americans were found sleeping in the Eiffel Tower after becoming intoxicated. Just days prior, a man was arrested for jumping off the Eiffel Tower with a parachute and now faces criminal charges.

The Associated Press has reported that Europe is currently experiencing a significant rebound in tourism, primarily driven by American tourists.

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