To combat the rising pressure of overtourism and safeguard its fragile heritage, the Pompeii archaeological park has announced a new initiative to limit daily visitor numbers. Starting from November 15, the iconic site will introduce a daily cap of 20,000 visitors and implement personalised tickets to regulate access, authorities confirmed on November 8. The decision comes in the wake of a record-breaking summer that saw over 4 million tourists flock to the ancient ruins, which was buried following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The park has become one of Italy's most visited cultural landmarks, but the surge in tourism has raised concerns over the impact on the site's preservation and the overall visitor experience. According to the Associated Press, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the park's director said that the number of daily visitors had already exceeded an average of 15,000 to 20,000, prompting the need for measures to prevent overcrowding. "We are working on a series of projects to lift the human pressure on the site, which could pose risks both for visitors and the heritage (that is) so unique and fragile," he explained.
Also read: Venice to extend day-tripper tax into 2025, will double fees to combat overtourism Moreover, from November 15, all tickets to the Pompeii site will be personalised with the visitor's full name. A maximum of 20,000 tickets will be available each day, and visitors will be required to choose from specific time slots, particularly during the p.