Pompeii Limits Daily Visitors to 20,000

Pompeii Archaeological Park will restrict daily visitors to a maximum of 20,000 starting November 15, 2024, in an effort to manage overtourism and protect the fragile historic site. The new measures include personalized tickets with visitors' names and designated time slots to minimize crowding, particularly during peak season. This decision follows a record summer where over four million visitors were recorded, including 36,000 on a single day of free admission. Park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel emphasized the need to alleviate pressure on the site, which poses risks to both visitors and the heritage. Additionally, a shuttle service is being introduced to promote other lesser-known ancient sites nearby, as part of a broader strategy for sustainable tourism. Similar measures are being adopted at other popular Italian sites, such as Venice and the Trevi Fountain, to combat the effects of mass tourism.