It’s a wet December day in Rome, and my friend Daphne* has been waiting near Piazza Barberini for half an hour. Five people booked her free walking tour. None have appeared.
It’s the third time in a row that no-one has shown up. For the travellers, there’s no financial penalty. However, for Daphne, there can be. She’s given up paid work for the day to be here, so her no-show guests have cost her time and income.
LEDGER+
This reportage is for subscribers
Keep reading. What a ‘free’ tour really costs.
Unlimited access to every Ledger+ story: reportage, investigations and the weekend edition.
Pay with attention
FREE, ONCE PER ARTICLE
One ad. This article. No account.
Watch one short ad to the end and this article opens - once. No sign-up, no card, nothing stored about you.
RECOMMENDED
MONTHLY
€1 first month
Then €14.99 / month · cancel anytime
ANNUAL
€119 / year
Works out at €9.92 / month · save 33%
All Ledger+ articles on the web and in the app
Significantly fewer ads, no third-party tracking
E-paper from 9pm the evening before
Already a subscriber? Sign in
PayPal · Apple Pay · Card · SEPA