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Italy Fines Ticket Operators €20 Million for Colosseum Access Manipulation

Antitrust investigation concludes with penalties for automated ticket hoarding and inflated pricing practices at Italy's top tourist site.

A woman holds an umbrella to shelter herself from the sun as she sits near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
Dea from Georgia uses a fan to cool off as she walks near the Colosseum amid a heatwave in Rome, Italy, June 20, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
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Overview

  • Italy's antitrust authority (AGCM) issued nearly €20 million in fines to CoopCulture and six tour operators for unfair ticketing practices at the Roman Colosseum.
  • CoopCulture, the former official ticket manager, was fined €7 million for failing to prevent bots from hoarding tickets and prioritizing its own guided tour packages.
  • Six operators, including Tiqets International BV and GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, used bots to buy tickets in bulk, making standard-priced tickets unavailable to consumers.
  • These operators resold tickets bundled with additional services like guided tours and priority access, often at significantly higher prices.
  • The investigation, launched in July 2023 after consumer complaints, highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring fair access to cultural landmarks like the Colosseum, which received over 12.3 million visitors in 2023.