Visitors to Italy's museums up in August

Upturn due to new tariff structure, opening times

(ANSA) - Rome, September 2 - Visitor numbers at Italy's museums and monuments rose by 10% and takings by 11% in August over the same month in 2013, the culture ministry said Tuesday. The upturn was partly the result of new opening times and ticket prices introduced by Culture Minister Dario Franceschini with effect from July 1, the ministry said. "Large and small museums are benefitting from the new tariff structure, extended opening hours on Fridays and free entry on the first Sunday of the month," read a statement.

This "is more than compensating for the elimination of free entry for people over 65", the statement added. Rome's Colosseum saw a 16% rise in visitors over August 2013, translating into 94,000 additional entries. The archeological area at Pompeii registered a 12% upturn in visitors (+38,000) and the Florence museums circuit 18% (+14,000 visitors).