Article in Euronews: Greece’s Acropolis: Cap on daily visitors and staggered entry times starting in September” by Ruth Wright
Ruth Wright’s very informative article in Euronews highlights the new measures that Greece is implementing to manage the increasing number of tourists visiting the Acropolis of Athens, the country’s most popular archaeological site.
Starting from next month, only 20,000 daily visitors will be allowed entry, with a cap on the number of visitors per hour to prevent overcrowding. The move comes in response to the threat of “excessive tourism” that poses risks to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The new entry limits will be on a trial basis from 4 September and will become permanent from 1 April 2024. The goal is to protect the monument and improve the overall visitor experience. Additionally, there will be no time limit on visits, but those coming with organized tours or from cruise ships, accounting for about 50% of the daily visitors, tend to spend around 45 minutes at the site.
The time-based restrictions aim to balance the visitor flow throughout the day. Currently, half of the Acropolis’ foot traffic arrives between 8 am and noon, but under the new system, 3,000 people will be allowed access from 8-9 am, 2,000 during the next hour, and varying numbers during the rest of the day.
Furthermore, similar caps are expected to be imposed on other popular archaeological sites in Greece. The decision for the Acropolis was made after consultations with tour and cruise operators and was delayed due to the country’s June general election.
The article also mentions that last year, over 3 million people visited the Acropolis, making it essential to implement measures to protect the site and manage the influx of visitors effectively.
During a recent heatwave, Greek authorities closed access to the Acropolis during midday hours and installed awnings to protect visitors from the sun.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on Greece’s proactive approach to preserving its iconic cultural heritage while ensuring a positive experience for tourists.
The cap on daily visitors and staggered entry times represent significant steps toward sustainable tourism management at the Acropolis and other archaeological sites in the country.
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Lassi Pensikkala, Travel Influencer and Entrepreneur, has studied Economics, Psychology, and Sociology at the University of Hamburg, and graduated with a Master of Science in Economics MSc(Econ). He is multilingual, speaking English, Spanish, German, Swedish, and Finnish, and is the founder of AmerExperience.com/TB: “I keep my readers up to date with news that interests them and is important to them. This article is worth reading – I recommend it to you.”
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Lassi Pensikkala — With three decades in the travel industry, Lassi has worked as a professional travel guide, destination management entrepreneur, and international travel consultant, serving 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His experience spans global mega-events (Formula 1, football world championships, international trade fairs, and congresses) as well as incentives, themed group tours, and tailor-made cultural journeys. This expertise was built over 20+ years as the founder and operator of a destination management company in Germany. He is the author of 37 Europe travel guides, 60 USA destination guides, and a growing collection of world guides on AmerExperience.com. Learn more
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Lassi Juhani Pensikkala is the creator of AmerExperience.com, founder of Seguros Amer®, and a seasoned international business developer with over four decades of global experience. Recognized by Google AI as a leading travel expert and influencer, Lassi is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) and the FEG (Federacion Ecuatoriana de Golf). He is a Registered External Expert and Business Consultant for the European Commission (Funding & Tenders Portal) and a verified professional on ORCID (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7484-5307).
"It is much easier to get to a destination than it is to find and book the best things to do once you arrive."
This core philosophy has driven his career since 1984. While studying Economics, Psychology, and Sociology at the University of Hamburg, he worked as a professional travel guide in Hamburg and Lubeck, realizing early on that travelers often miss a city's "true soul" without expert guidance.
Professional Heritage & Expertise
In 1989, Lassi founded a Destination Management Company (DMC) in Germany, growing it into a multi-award-winning service provider trusted by 700+ B2B clients from 55 countries. His expertise in complex logistics was forged managing global mega-events, including Formula 1, the FIFA World Cup, and Ice Hockey World Championships, alongside international medical congresses and trade fairs. Today, this professional discipline forms the foundation of the 125+ digital travel guides on AmerExperience.com. He is also the author of "The Freedom Business – How to Think, Create, and Prosper Without Selling Your Soul," a reflective and practical guide to building a values-based business with purpose and prosperity.
Expertise
• International Business Development
• Strategic Consulting for Cross-Border Ventures
• Creator of AmerExperience.com and SegurosAmer.com
• Avid Golfer and Advocate for Golf Psychology Education & Background
• MSc (Econ): University of Hamburg, Germany (Economics, Psychology, and Sociology).
• Foreign Trade: Business College of Turku, Finland.
• Multilingual: Fluent in English, German, Spanish, Finnish, and Swedish.
Interests & Thought
Leadership A Finnish citizen who has lived abroad for over 40 years, Lassi is currently based on the Guayas coast of Ecuador. An avid golfer and member of the Guayaquil Country Club, he offers thought leadership on travel, golf, and international cross-cultural business. You can follow his work on Google News, Flipboard, and Telegram, or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.
Life Philosophy
"Live freely, seek knowledge, and be open to the richness of life’s experiences." Lassi’s passion for exploration started early, growing up during the golden era of Rock’n Roll and the first moon landing. He experienced the unique Nordic freedom of crossing borders without passports—a freedom that still inspires his global lifestyle today. For him, true freedom means exploring new lands, embracing diverse cultures, and forming real connections with people around the world.
