- Pompeii to cap daily tourist numbers at 20,000
- It comes amid a dramatic rise in tourism
- The cap will likely impact only a few high-traffic days
Pompeii to cap daily tourist numbers at 20,000
Pompeii will introduce a cap of 20,000 daily visitors starting November 15, following a dramatic rise in tourist numbers.
Local reports revealed that a staggering 36,000 people visited the site on the first Sunday of October when entry was free. Pompeii, famously preserved under volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in AD 79, remains one of the world’s best-preserved Roman landmarks.
In 2023, the site welcomed nearly 4 million visitors—a 33% increase compared to the previous year—marking a rebound that surpassed pre-pandemic tourism levels. October 2024 alone saw over 480,000 tourists, averaging 15,500 visitors daily. May was the busiest month this year, with 517,000 visitors, or approximately 16,700 per day.
The park’s management expects the 20,000 cap to impact only a few high-traffic days. A spokesperson noted that visitor numbers exceeded the limit primarily on free-entry Sundays and three or four other fee-paying days.
This move aims to balance preservation efforts with the growing popularity of this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site.
