Mounting a tourist levy

Sir, – A recent week’s holiday in Sorrento set us back €28 (x2) in tax for the privilege

Sir, – A recent week’s holiday in Sorrento set us back €28 (x2) in tax for the privilege. It is the latest region in Italy to lamp on to this tourist levy, the proceeds of which we were led to believe will be used for the conservation of that country’s antiquities.

Hopefully some of the loot will be used to provide public toilet facilities at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Returning, after paying €8 each for the privilege of traversing the dirt trick to the summit, we had to queue for 20 minutes to use the single WC in a cafe (50 cent charge). A heavy mist on the mount’s pinnacle, which precluded any type of viewing, was free of charge. – Yours, etc,

DENIS O’SHAUGHNESSY,

Janemount Park,

Limerick.