Riceviamo una significativa riflessione di Maria Pia Merlino, dall’Australia . Nella nota, in inglese, si fa riferimento alla mancanza di cortesia nei servizi commerciali e di pubblica utilità nei confronti dei turisti.
Hello Peppe Paino
Tourism is very important to Lipari but I wonder if the Liparoti realise and are grateful for it.My parents and ancestors are from Lami, Lipari – I understand the dialect (very well) but I can’t really speak it.
I was there in September last year. Asking directions about buses in the Office near Marina Lungo, the young gentleman was very helpful but was told by the older lady behind the desk “non perde tempo” Of course I understood this and told her so. I was the only customer so it wasn’t like they were busy. Once I left they’d have nothing to do. I also got the same treatment from a young woman at the ferry office – who quickly left to have a cigarette and another bad experience from an old man at a fruit cart trying to sell me more fruit than I could carry, he was quite rude. In 2010 I posted a box from Lipari to Sydney, paying an expensive 35 euro for it and I never received it.
The reason why I go back to Lipari is because it’s in my blood but a lot of the time the customer service is horrible. People will not come back because of it. Last year I heard the tourist numbers were down by a third – that’s a lot when you are relying on tourists for 3-4 months of the year. Tourists need to be treated well otherwise they won’t come back and Lipari will lose.
Lipari has a very special place in my heart because my mother (and family) were born there. I still love it. :O)
All the best
Maria Pia
