Pompeii caps daily visitors at 20,000 amid overtourism concerns

The Pompeii Archaeological Park announced that starting November 15, it will limit the number of daily visitors to 20,000 and introduce personalized tickets bearing visitors' full names. The measure aims to combat overtourism and protect the UNESCO World Heritage site, which has seen unprecedented visitor numbers this year.

The decision comes after a record-breaking summer during which the park was visited by over four million people, marking a 33.6% increase year-on-year. The daily average reached about 11,200 visitors, with peaks exceeding 36,000 on free-admission Sundays. On some days, especially the first Sundays of the month when entry is free, the influx of tourists has created a huge burden for the park's workers and the historical objects themselves.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the archaeological park, expressed concerns over the sustainability of such high visitor numbers. "We are working on a series of projects to mitigate the anthropic pressure on the site, which can be a risk both for people, for example in case of an earthquake, and for the heritage, so unique and fragile," he said. He emphasized the importance of reducing human pressure on the ancient site for conservation and safety reasons.

The new regulations will not only cap daily visitors at 20,000 but also personalize tickets with visitors' full names. "We are aiming for slow, sustainable, pleasant and non-mass tourism and above all widespread throughout the territory around the UNESCO site, which is full of cultural jewels to discover," Zuchtriegel added. He further explained, "These changes must be managed in a shared and proactive manner and not passively endured."

During the peak summer months, the park will implement timed entry slots to distribute the number of visitors throughout the day. A maximum of 20,000 tickets will be issued each day, with specific time intervals including a limit of 15,000 visits from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5,000 from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM. This approach aims to alleviate congestion and ensure the safety of visitors while preserving the site's fragile remains.

The management is also encouraging tourists to explore other ancient sites connected to Pompeii as part of the "Greater Pompeii" project. This includes lesser-known excavations such as Stabia, Torre Annunziata, and Boscoreale, which were also affected by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. A free shuttle bus service has been introduced to connect these sites, aiming to disperse visitor numbers and promote sustainable tourism in the region.

Pompeii, located in Campania, Italy, about 23 kilometers southeast of Naples, was one of the most prosperous cities of the ancient Roman Empire before it was buried under volcanic ash due to the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The city remained lost for centuries until its rediscovery. The first excavation work began in 1748, and today, the site is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, providing significant insights into the lives of its inhabitants and showcasing a city frozen in time.

Archaeologists are still making discoveries at Pompeii, providing the most complete picture of daily Roman life anywhere in the world. Last month, archaeologists revealed an uncommonly small house with finely preserved frescoes of mythological scenes, including frescoes of mythical Greek figures such as Helen of Troy and Apollo. Visitors to the park can see the preserved streets, houses, public buildings, and temples of Pompeii, enhancing its archaeological significance.

The park's management recognizes the need to balance accessibility and conservation. "The measures to manage flows and security and the personalization of the visit fit into this strategy," Zuchtriegel stated. "Experience shows that only those who focus on quality grow sustainably, and we aim for this, while trying at the same time to help the territory and the operators in the sector who are working in a context that has profoundly changed after the pandemic and will change again."

This move comes at a time when other tourist destinations are also grappling with overtourism. Venice, for example, has implemented a fee of five euros for tourists who visit the city for the day without staying overnight to manage visitor numbers. Similar actions have been taken by cities like Barcelona to address the challenges of mass tourism.

Entrance to Italian museums, including Pompeii, is free on the first Sunday of each month, which has led to peaks in visitor numbers and concerns over the preservation of the sites. By implementing these measures, the Pompeii Archaeological Park aims to prevent damage from excessive tourism and ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors.

Sources: AP, ABC News, The Straits Times, Dagens Nyheter, EL PAÍS, GMA Network, Wow TV, La Voz del Interior, Munhwa, Tempo, Gazeta.ru, The Guardian, BBC, The Independent, Il Sole 24 Ore, Rossiyskaya Gazeta

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq