纽约大都会艺术博物馆或将收取门票

New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world's most visited museums, is in talks with city officials about charging a fixed admission fee for out-of-town visitors, rather than urging a donation.

近日，全球参观人数最多的博物馆之一纽约市大都会艺术博物馆正同纽约市政府官员商讨对外来游客收取固定的门票费用，而非呼吁他们捐款。

The museum, the largest in the US, leased rent-free by the city in 1878 on condition that the museum be free to the public.

1878年，纽约市免去这家全美最大博物馆的租金，条件是博物馆对公众免费开放。

Since 1971, it has charged visitors what it calls a "suggested" fee, currently $25, though many visitors opt to pay less.

1971年以来，大都会艺术博物馆会向游客收取所谓的“建议”费用。目前这笔费用为25美元，不过很多游客选择支付更少的钱。

Ann Bailis, a museum spokeswoman, said the latest talks were only "preliminary." It was unclear how much the admission fee would be if it came to pass.

博物馆发言人安·贝利斯称，最近进行的磋商只是“初步的”。若确定收取门票费用，具体定价尚不清楚。

The museum receives more than 6 million visitors a year, more than two thirds of whom hail from outside the city.

大都会艺术博物馆每年接待游客逾600万人次，其中超过2/3的游客是外来游客。

It has struggled to close a budget deficit, which amounted to more than $8 million last year, according to its most recent annual report.

博物馆最近的年度报告显示，博物馆正努力弥补去年总计超过800万美元的预算赤字。