Collapsed from Cardiac Arrest While Guiding Tourists, Died on Site
"No Shade, No Breeze, and a Heatwave... Heatstroke Is Inevitable"
Local Tourism Industry Calls for Review of Tourist Site Opening Hours
In Rome, Italy, a tour guide collapsed and died while leading a tour during a heatwave. The local tourism industry is increasingly calling for a review of opening hours at major tourist sites during the summer.
According to The Guardian on the 21st (local time), Giovanna Maria Zimmarino, age 56, collapsed from cardiac arrest and died on site while guiding a group of tourists at the Colosseum at 6 p.m. on the 19th. Tourists and emergency responders immediately performed CPR, but she passed away at the scene.
This fatal incident occurred just weeks after the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations warned that "extreme heat is no longer an exception, and in our profession, attention, adaptation, and solidarity are needed."
As condolences and tributes for Zimmarino continue, the Italian Association of Licensed Tourist Guides (AGTA) stated that her death highlights the physical strain of guiding work. The association urged that the Colosseum's opening hours be adjusted so tours can take place in the cooler early morning or late evening. Currently, the Colosseum operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. between late March and late September.
In a statement, AGTA said, "First, the summer opening hours of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum (including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill) must be changed. The recurring stories of 'heatwave emergencies' each year are nothing new. Climate change is a reality, and even several years ago, working at the Roman Forum from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. was unbearable."
The association argued that, at least from early June to the end of August, the opening hours around the Colosseum should be from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
The association also reported that, due to low pensions and economic uncertainty, many guides have had no choice but to endure excessive workloads. "In recent years, too many guides have switched to safer and less demanding jobs," the association said, adding, "We need more protection."
Last month, Federagit, the national federation of Italian tour guides, also requested that the opening time of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum be moved up by one hour. Francesca Duimic, who represents 300 tour guides in Rome, reported that tourists often collapse from dehydration in the summer heat of Rome.
Alessandro Giuli, Italy's Minister of Culture, stated, "This death strongly highlights the human and professional value of those who contribute every day to the protection of our historical and artistic heritage." However, he has not yet responded to the demands of the guide organizations.
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