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Italy Fines Tour Operators Almost 20 Mln Euros over Colosseum Tickets Hoarding 

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)
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)
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Italy Fines Tour Operators Almost 20 Mln Euros over Colosseum Tickets Hoarding 

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)
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)

Italy's antitrust authority has fined a ticketing company and six tour operators nearly 20 million euros ($21.7 million) for ticket hoarding practices limiting access to the Roman Colosseum, the regulator said on Monday.

The AGCM authority said it had fined CoopCulture, which managed official ticket sales for the Colosseum from 1997-2024, 7 million euros for failing to prevent automated ticket hoarding and for reserving a large share of tickets for its own guided tour packages.

The AGCM said this conduct led to the "substantial and prolonged unavailability" of standard-priced tickets for Italy's most popular tourist attraction, forcing consumers to purchase higher-priced tickets bundled with additional services.

Six tour operators - Tiqets International BV, GetYourGuide Deutschland GmbH, Walks LLC, Italy With Family S.r.l., City Wonders Limited, and Musement S.p.A. - were also fined for using software robots (bots) to buy tickets in bulk, contributing to their rapid disappearance from CoopCulture's website.

The operators then resold the tickets bundled with services such as guided tours or priority access, often at significantly higher prices, the regulator said.

The investigation began in July 2023 after widespread complaints that it was nearly impossible for consumers to buy tickets to the Colosseum at official prices online.

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Misk Heritage Museum Signs Collaboration Agreement with Art of Heritage to Showcase Saudi Cultural Legacy

The collaboration aims to exhibit thousands of exquisite pieces owned by Art of Heritage. SPA
The collaboration aims to exhibit thousands of exquisite pieces owned by Art of Heritage. SPA
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Misk Heritage Museum Signs Collaboration Agreement with Art of Heritage to Showcase Saudi Cultural Legacy

The collaboration aims to exhibit thousands of exquisite pieces owned by Art of Heritage. SPA
The collaboration aims to exhibit thousands of exquisite pieces owned by Art of Heritage. SPA

Misk Heritage Museum “Asaan,” a newly established museum dedicated to preserving and honoring Saudi heritage, has entered into a landmark 30-year agreement with Art of Heritage, affiliated with AlNahda Society.
According to a statement issued by Asaan, the collaboration aims to exhibit thousands of exquisite pieces owned by Art of Heritage, including extensive collections and unique artifacts focused on the “Saudi Way of Life” and that have rarely been displayed publicly.
As part of this partnership, Asaan will house, manage, and display Art of Heritage’s extensive collection of 57,000 ethnographic objects, including nearly 3,000 pieces of jewelry, over 3,000 garments, almost 40,000 photographic materials and daily tools, more than 1,000 books and manuscripts, audio recordings and videos, centuries-old maps, and camel howdahs used by locals in the past.
Before being transferred to the museum, Asaan will undertake the digitization of the collection to safeguard and document its historical significance. Additionally, the collection will be integrated into Asaan’s educational initiatives, interactive community engagement programs, and artisanal product development inspired by the collection—strengthening the connection between society and Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity and authentic heritage.
The statement added that Asaan, set to open in a few upcoming years, will provide an extraordinary and unparalleled environment for immersive experiences that highlight Art of Heritage collection and ignite visitor’s creativity and passion to explore Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage, and continue to inspire Saudi people to move forward in shaping their future cultural and heritage legacy.
The collaboration agreement contributes to Asaan's mission to showcase authentic Saudi heritage and narrate inspiring stories about the everyday life of Saudi Arabia. Within an interactive environment, it allows visitors to learn up close about the diversity, richness and authenticity of the tangible and intangible heritage that thrives in the various regions of the Kingdom.