Can You Manage Italy Tourism Like McDonalds?
Italy, once the top tourist destination in the world, has fallen to number 6. Is the former McDonalds CEO the solution?
When Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was faced with the problem of Italy's struggling tourism industry, he called on Former McDonalds Italy Chief Mario Resca.
Resca seems to be of the mindset that Italy's most famous monuments such as Michelangelo's David and the Colosseum are much like the McItaly sandwich, in the sense that if people don't appreciate them, we'll take them off the menu. Have a look at the video created by the Ministry of Cultural Patrimony.
Translation: If you don't visit them, we'll take them away.
What do you think? Effective, or stupid? I vote stupid. I think Italy has only itself to blame for the decline in tourism. The countries now ranked above Italy are probably there because they know how to treat tourists, ie not throwing them out of the pantheon ten minutes before the end of a concert or overcharging them in and around Rome's major tourist monuments. Once an inexpensive holiday destination, sightseeing in Rome will soon become a luxury that only the wealthy can afford.
What are your thoughts? Would you still come sightseeing in Rome even if they chopper out the colosseum?
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I agree with you. Italy needs to shape up and get back to embracing tourism - the lead contributor to its economy.
If they'd only go back to the lira, things would be much more affordable for this American tourist!
I also vote stupid! I totally agree, as I have for 28 years now being a former employee of the Italian government and Alitalia Airlines, that Italy does not know how to manage their tourism! THIS IS OBVIOUS! Berlusconi is disgraceful, and now adding insult to injury, so is his Mario Resca, who should stick his project management solutions in McDonalds' backside!
I have not been to Italy recently, but heard it is sooo very expensive, and also as pointed out, they have lost their hospitality towards tourists. I would still come though, I have family that live about 1 hr. from Rome, so staying at hotels is not a problem. It is such a beautiful country, they should do all they can to share it with the world!
