The Pompeii Archaeological Park has implemented a reduction in daily visitor numbers, requiring advance ticket purchases. To protect its invaluable heritage from the dangers of overcrowding, authorities at the park will limit the number of visitors to 20,000 per day.
Visitors must buy their tickets in advance and adhere to specific time slots. This summer, visitor records were shattered, with 4 million people exploring the cobbled streets of the ancient Roman city that in 79 AD was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Even on free admission days, such as the first Sunday of each month, attendance peaked at 36,000.
New Strategy against Overcrowding
Starting from November 15, a maximum of 15,000 people are allowed to enter between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. An additional 5,000 tickets will be available from noon until 5:30 PM. These schedules and ticket quantities may change during spring and summer based on demand. Unlike the current system, tickets will be nominal and cannot be resold.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, explained that this strategy aims not only to limit the number of visitors but also to ease congestion at popular sites such as the Forum, the House of the Faun, the Amphitheater, and the Villa of the Mysteries.
Free buses will be provided for tourists to facilitate visits to less crowded yet significant archaeological sites within Greater Pompeii. These destinations include Stabia, Torre Annunziata, Civita Giuliana, and Boscoreale, also buried under the lava and ash from the famous volcano overlooking the Catania coast.
Beyond Pompeii
It is estimated that excavations in Pompeii, which began over 200 years ago, have uncovered only 40% of this ancient Roman city. Pompeii was highly valued by the aristocracy of the empire, who built lavish villas and summer residences there.
In addition to Pompeii Archeological Park, the nearby site of Herculaneum is also very popular. Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried by a lava flow that quickly covered it, allowing for better preservation. Archaeologists have discovered furniture, wood, and fabrics not found in the more famous city.
The strategy implemented by the authorities in Pompeii to fight overcrowding is similar to the approach taken four years ago at the Machu Picchu site in Peru. They have limited the number of visitors to prevent tourism from damaging the heritage and the experience of those who visit.
Italian Tourism: From Record to Record
The surge in tourism that Pompeii is currently experiencing is no coincidence. In 2023, Italy recorded 57.3 million international visits, and the number of nights spent in hotels and other accommodations increased by 10%, reaching 451 million. According to provisional data from Tourist Italy, these figures grew by 12% during the first half of this year.
Tourism growth in the Naples and Campania region has been consistent in recent years, except for the brief hiatus during the pandemic. In 2023, the region welcomed nearly 21 million international and domestic visitors, reflecting a 12.3% increase compared to the previous year.