Arm wrestling between the tourist guides and the director of the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum.
The dispute originated from the tender published by Consip last January which provides for the contracting of additional services (ticket offices, cloakrooms, bookshops, etc.) to private operators and among these services, for the first time, there would also be that for guided tours.
The guides – this is the fear represented – who would operate through the concessionaire would probably be framed with multi-service contracts. Since the 80s, tourist guides have always presided over the archaeological excavations of Herculaneum, guaranteeing the guide service to visitors who requested it.
The presence of tourist guides in Ercolano had in fact already been foreseen in the Campania Regional Law n.11 of 1986 (law that regulates the tourist professions). Unfortunately, however, the process of perfecting the permanent tourist presences has never seen its conclusion.
Despite this, the tourist guides, by virtue of this principle aimed at guaranteeing a service to visitors, have constantly supervised the archaeological park both in summer and winter, guaranteeing guided tours to those who requested them in every period of the year; but not only that, the guides were also there to provide assistance and welcome to visitors (without any cost to the superintendencies).
The municipality of Ercolano had also planned, in the building that now houses the ticket office and bookshop, an area dedicated to tourist guides. The new Consip tender will bring a complete revolution since it will award the guided tour service to a contractor at pre-established prices.
“The presence of the tourist guides of Ercolano – explains Maria De Angelis, tourist guide of the Campania Region – although not recognized by the director, has always guaranteed over the years a source of employment for many autonomous and independent guides who over the years have managed to self-manage by organizing shifts and visits tailored for each visitor.
The garrison has never seen limitations in the sense that there was freedom to be able to register, the only requirement for this self-management was the possession of the qualification title issued by a territorial body through public qualification exams in line with state legislation".
“With the new announcement - points out - only a few, chosen by the concessionaire and with a compensation not subject to free negotiation directly with the consumer, will be able to provide their services to the tourist who decides to enjoy the visit once they arrive at the park.
A further insult is having to re-certify language skills if you want to work for the concessionaire. It should be remembered that among the subjects of the qualification exam, in addition to the historical, artistic and archaeological skills verified by the superintendents who presided over the examination commission for tourist guides, there were also university professors of foreign languages to prove the linguistic suitability of the candidates. The announcement does not take into account the qualification exam in the linguistic part”.
The issue has also reached Parliament where MP Caramiello of the 5 Star Movement has asked a parliamentary question to the Minister of Culture. The actions taken so far have been a complaint to Anaced and an appeal to the TAR of which the results are not yet known but the guides are ready to take other actions if the management of the Ercolano Archaeological Park does not show sensitivity towards the many operators who could be damaged.
Article published on March 11, 2023 - 11pm
