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Quick guide
After the ban on cash donations at the Roman Baths in Bath, England, donations fell sharply to $17,000, a significant loss compared to $200,000 before the pandemic. This move was made to avoid potential harm to the old building, but the charity's income was severely affected. While the attraction argues that the cashless policy helps preserve the site and increase revenue, critics argue that visitors should have options for how they donate. The global debate on the impact of cashless societies is not limited to this, but also involves issues such as economic inequality, bank fees and ethical practices in financial services, which have raised concerns among communities.
Reduced donations due to cash bans
The Roman Baths in Bath, a popular tourist destination in the United Kingdom, faced a major setback, losing $170,000 after the local ban on cash donations. The agency decided to discourage tourists from throwing coins at the historic site and instead encouraged cashless payments. Unfortunately, this move has had serious consequences, with donations from charities drastically reduced, raising only $17,000 in the last fiscal year, despite attracting a million visitors in 2023.
The impact of the cash ban on visitor donations
The decision to ban cash donations at the Roman Baths in Bath was largely driven by the post-pandemic decline in cash use and concerns about the potential hazards of historic buildings. Charities' revenue from donations has been hit hard, from nearly $200,000 in the early days of the pandemic to just $17,000 after the cashless policy was implemented. The process of collecting coins was considered inefficient, leading to a waste of water resources and difficulties in banking parts of the coins, further justifying the shift to cashless payments.
The debate about cashless donations
While the Roman Baths have defended their cashless policy, citing it as a reason to protect archaeological sites and increase revenue from other sources, critics, including the Coalition for Payment Options, argue that visitors should have the right to choose how they donate. Cashless initiatives are being viewed with suspicion, and there are fears of losing the traditional charm that comes with throwing coins into the water. The debate about the social impact of cashless is not limited to this tourist attraction, with issues such as economic inequality, bank fees, and ethical practices in financial services raising concerns across communities globally.