Admission to a world-famous attraction could soon cost tourists $25

A FAMOUS tourist attraction in London could soon start charging visitors a fee.

The landmark is one of the city’s highlights and has been open to the public free of charge since its opening in 1759.

This popular attraction predates the United States and has always been open to the public for both Londoners and tourists.

Every year, this legendary destination opens its doors to an average of six million visitors from all over the world.

However, the British Museum can now charge tourists an entrance fee to view its contents.

The museum was the first of its kind and presented all areas of human knowledge.

Exhibits at the museum include everything from ancient Greek sculptures to Egyptian ruins.

The former interim director of the British Museum demanded that tourists pay an entrance fee of $25.

Sir Mark Jones’ proposal comes in the wake of the attraction’s controversial $64 million deal with BP to fund renovations.

“The British Museum is too small to do its job,” he told the Sunday Times.

“A master plan would include increasing the space available and providing more room for visitor facilities.”

According to Jones, who took over last year, the budget required for the project must be raised from the public.

He explained that financing the renovation through additional taxes was not considered feasible because “public finances are very strained”.

Instead, he recommended charging museum visitors an entrance fee.

Currently, the public can visit the permanent exhibitions free of charge. However, non-members are charged a fee to visit the special exhibitions.

Jones pointed out that the proposed price should be considered “reasonable” given the similar prices for entry to the Louvre in Paris and the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

RENOVATION PLAN

He explained that under the plan, British tourists and people aged 25 and under would continue to be granted free entry to the museum.

Jones said admission fees would help fund the museum’s extensive $512 million to $640 million renovation plan.

He added that the entrance fee would also be used to finance other projects, such as reducing admission prices for special exhibitions.

Jones, who took over in August 2023 after 1,500 objects were reported missing from the museum, suggested that other free attractions in London would also consider charging admission.

His recommendations included the National Gallery, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Nicholas Cullinan was appointed permanent director of the museum in March.