There are many rural regions in Italy that are untroubled by urban concerns
Naples' dirt 'part of its appeal'
14 May 2008A tourism official in the Italian city of Naples has said that visitors should try to see the positive side of the fact that the city is knee-deep in rubbish.
Naples recently plunged into a garbage crisis when its dumps became full and collection services stopped.
Mountains of rubbish have begun to pile up in the streets, prompting fury among Neapolitans and leading the European Commission to threaten legal action against the city authorities.
Claudio Velardi, the new head of tourism in Naples, said the city had never been clean and even described it as a "hotbed" of viral diseases such as hepatitis, the Telegraph reports.
The tourism boss claimed that visitors should try to enjoy finding beautiful sights in the midst of the rubbish.
He added: "If I go to Rio de Janeiro, I know there are favelas (slums). This city is also chaotic, but is beautiful and characterful.
"We have no intention of turning Naples into Frankfurt. What is more, the hoteliers say that no one complains about Naples when they come to leave the city. It provides happy memories."
The rubbish crisis does appear to have had an impact on tourism figures, however, with a number of hotels reporting falling bookings.
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