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.
Read the article Greece’s Acropolis: Cap on daily visitors and staggered entry times starting in September” by Ruth Wright in Euronews and stay up to date!
Thanks for reading,
Lassi Pensikkala
Travel content curator Lassi Pensikkala: “I search and select for you interesting, relevant, and helpful travel-related articles from the international and trustworthy press. As a content curator, my job is to collect useful data with high value and a human touch for my readers and to bring everything together in one place.”
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.”
Find more curated travel experiences and book safely with trusted partners on our Travel Hub → AmerExperience Travel Hub
