Italy is putting a stop to mass tourism in Pompeii

Italy wants to preserve its cultural heritage while continuing to offer a high quality of life to both locals and visitors. But how can this be achieved given the immense crowds of tourists? New visitor management measures are now being introduced, and they vary widely.

Pompeii: regulating the flow of visitors

With around four million visitors in the summer alone, the ancient city of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can hardly cope with the large crowds. To protect the cultural heritage and the safety of visitors, the archaeological park is introducing a daily visitor limit. Starting next week, a maximum of 20,000 people per day will be allowed to visit the ruined city. Personalised tickets are also being introduced to control access and protect the historic site.

Venice: entrance fee for day tourists

In Venice, barely 50,000 residents still live in the historic centre, but the city attracts over 15 million tourists a year. This year, Venice became the first city in the world to introduce an entrance fee for day visitors, which currently stands at five euros. But the city is planning to increase this to up to ten euros by 2025. Venice residents are exempt from the levy, but the measure is intended to alleviate mass tourism and relieve the tourist infrastructure. Despite the fee, Venice remains a popular destination for many.

Rome: Possible entrance fee at the Trevi Fountain

The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome is also overrun by tourists, making it is almost impossible to take a selfie or toss a coin in peace. The city government is considering introducing a visitor limit and an entrance fee to protect the area and create a more pleasant visitor experience. During restoration work, the fountain is currently accessible via a walkway, but only to a limited number of visitors.

Florence: Apartments for locals instead of tourists

Rents in the centre of Florence have risen sharply due to the many Airbnb offers – up to 30 percent of centrally located apartments are rented out as holiday accommodation. This trend has made it increasingly difficult for locals to live in the city centre, as many are forced to leave. The city is introducing regulations to secure affordable housing for residents and preserve the city’s landscape.

Italy is seeking solutions to balance its tourist appeal with residents' quality of life. Different cities are testing various approaches, including visitor limits, entrance fees, and housing protection measures. The shared goal is to safeguard Italy's heritage while offering authentic experiences for both visitors and locals.