On some days, 23,000 vacationers cram into the traditional complicated.
Solely 20,000 each day guests can be let into the Acropolis of Athens, Greece’s hottest archaeological website, beginning subsequent month.
There may even be cap on what number of guests can be let in each hour.
Up till now, as many as 23,000 folks a day have been squeezing into the monument complicated, with principally massive teams visiting earlier than midday.
Tradition Minister Lina Mendoni mentioned the controls are wanted to stop bottlenecks and overcrowding on the UNESCO World Heritage website.
‘Extreme tourism’ is a menace to the Acropolis
In a radio interview Mendoni mentioned, “Clearly tourism is fascinating for the nation, for all of us. However we should work out how extreme tourism will not hurt the monument.”
The brand new entry limits can be carried out on a trial foundation from 4 September, and can come completely into impact from 1 April 2024, the minister mentioned.
There can be no time restrict on visits though Mendoni mentioned individuals who include organised excursions or from cruise ships, who account for about 50% of the each day customer depend, spend a mean of 45 minutes on the website.
What time is the Acropolis open?
The positioning is open from 8am to 8pm Monday-Sunday.
Beneath the brand new guidelines, solely a sure variety of guests can be allowed in each hour.
Half of the Acropolis’ foot site visitors presently arrives between 8 am and midday. Beneath the brand new system, 3,000 folks can be granted entry from 8-9 am, 2,000 throughout the subsequent hour and the numbers will range throughout the remainder of the day.
“The measure will tackle the necessity to shield the monument, which is the principle factor for us, in addition to (enhancing) guests’ expertise of the positioning,” Mendoni says.
Will different Greek websites comply with go well with?
Comparable caps can be imposed for different in style archaeological websites, Mendoni says. The choice for the Acropolis adopted consultations with tour and cruise operators, and was delayed as a consequence of Greece’s June basic election, she added.
Greater than 3 million folks visited the positioning final yr, in line with Greece’s statistical authority.
Acropolis responds to heatwave
Greek authorities closed entry to the Acropolis and different historical websites throughout noon hours final month on the top of a warmth wave that additionally brought on large wildfires throughout the nation.
Additionally they put in awnings as solar safety for folks lining as much as see the Acropolis’ fifth century BC temples. Mendoni mentioned these steps can be repeated, if crucial.
