The Pompeii Archaeological Park in Italy plans to limit visitors to 20,000 a day starting next week to protect the historic site from over-tourism.
After a record-breaking summer with over 4 million visitors, park officials are introducing new rules, including personalised tickets, to help control crowds and preserve the fragile ruins of the ancient Roman city, which was famously buried in ash by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the park’s director, explained that current visitor numbers often reach up to 20,000 each day, which is putting pressure on the site and raising safety concerns. By capping tickets and adding names to each ticket, Pompeii hopes to manage the high demand better, especially during peak times. The new ticketing system will begin on November 15, and during the busy summer season, specific time slots will help prevent overcrowding.
Zuchtriegel hopes these steps will support “slow, sustainable tourism” that respects the area’s unique heritage, encouraging visitors to enjoy Pompeii and its surroundings in a safe and memorable way.
