The Acropolis in Athens is to be the first archeological site to adopt electronic tickets in June, with the other archeological sites expected to follow suit by the end of the year. The announcement came from the Alternate Minister of Culture Nikos Xydakis in Parliament, in response to a question posed by SYRIZA MP Maria Kanellopoulou.
In another question posed by New Democracy MP Fotini Arampatzi, Mr. Xydakis further revealed that funding for the investigation in Amphipolis continues, with investigation currently focused on the anthropological analysis, conservation and restoration of the findings and the monument.
Earlier in April, the Alternate Culture Minister announced that the first seven major archeological sites to adopt electronic tickets will be those of the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, the Roman Agora, Keramikos and the Theatre of Dionysus. Electronic tickets may be purchased online, cutting queues and saving time for visitors.
Mr. Xydakis also announced that the price of tickets would increase, noting that Greece currently has the cheapest tickets in Europe “to the point of doing an injustice to the value of the offered goods”. Furthermore, the provision of free access during the summer months will be suspended, although it will carry on for the winter season.
The introduction of electronic ticketing and associated changes to prices has been included in the latest “Varoufakis list” of reform proposals. According to the proposal, the government hopes to generate 5 to 10 million euros in 2015, with revenue projected to increase by 20 million euros after 2016.
