ITALIAN OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE COLOSSEUM RESTORATION

ITALIAN OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING TO RAISE $32 MILLION IN PRIVATE MONIES TO FINANCE THE RESTORATION OF ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S ICONIC LANDMARKS: THE COLOSSEUM. THE CULTURE MINISTRY SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACCEPT BIDS FROM POSSIBLE SPONSORS FROM 4.AUGUST TO 15.SEPTEMBER. THE MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT SPONSORS FUNDING THE PROJECT WILL BE ABLE TO 'PROMOTE THEIR IMAGE', BUT THAT ANY ADS WILL HAVE TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE DECORUM OD THE 2,000 YEAR OLD ARENA. OFFICIALS SAID THURSDAY THE ROME CITY HALL IS ALSO LOOKING TO CHARGE TOURISTS A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS IN TAX FOR HOTELS AND SOME MUSEUMS. THE TAX, WHICH GOES INTO EFFECT 1.JANUARY WILL APPLY TO OTHER TOURISM SERVICES AS WELL, SUCH AS DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES, BARS AND RESTAURANTS SET UP ALONG THE BANK OF THE TIBER RIVER AND TOUR BOATS, SAID MAURO CUTRUFO, DEPUTY MAYOR OF ROME. THE TAX IS EXPECTED TO BRING AN EXTRA $30 TO $50 MILLION INTO THE CITY'S PUBLIC COFFERS, HE SAID.