New high-speed train line connects Rome to Pompeii starting July 16

Italy's Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano announced a new direct high-speed train service from Rome to Pompeii, set to launch on July 16. The train will depart from Rome city center or Fiumicino Airport and arrive at the new Pompei Scavi station, reducing travel time from nearly two hours to a direct journey. Tickets can be purchased onboard, and passengers will watch a video about the archaeological site during the trip. The initiative is part of the Great Pompeii Project, funded by the EU since 2012, aimed at boosting tourism and economic development in the region. Pompeii attracted nearly 3 million visitors last year, compared to 7 million at the Colosseum. The project has sparked debate: Gaetano Milano, former CEO of Fondazione Sorrento, argues that the direct connection may discourage tourists from staying overnight on the Sorrento Peninsula, potentially harming local hospitality businesses.