All of you know that Pompeii is one of the most popular and famous archeological sites in the world. And, recently, thanks to its fame, the ruins of Pompeii have registered a significant growth of visits.
The data is clear. For these first five months of 2016 this data shows that the visits rise up significantly, more than in the previous years. Over 800,000 visits in the first five months of 2016, which far exceed the approximately 600,000 visits for the same period in 2015 (which was already increased by 25% compared to the 2014). A significant increase that, over the years, has continued to pose several question marks on the city territory. And, among all, it emerges the opinion of traders, who are beginning to calculate the advantages and disadvantages that the increase of visits in the ancient wonders has produced. The deputy mayor of Pompeii, Peter Orsineri said: “What, in my opinion, has led to this increase of visits? It was the Expo effect, which certainly has been a good showcase for the archaeological site. Without mention, then, the important visits of the President, Sergio Mattarella, and the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. In addition, it should also be considered the decline of tourism to the Arab countries because of the terrorism. But I disagree with the free admission for the first Sunday of every month, which has seen an overcrowding of the archaeological site. This also helped to increase traffic in the excavations, but without bringing benefits to anyone. It should not be a tourism of onlookers. Thirty thousand people in a single day in the archaeological site are harmful to the site”. Traders also intervene on the issue, trying to figure out what are the advantages produced by this increase in visits to the excavations. Alessandro Di Paolo, President of Ascom said: “For years, the number of the visits to the archaeological excavations increases time to time. But in the “New” Pompeii much remains to be done, such as creating cultural initiatives that can bring tourists even in the city, because the economic advantages, for now, are minimal. We need a little bit extra for a good synergy between Municipal administration and Superintendence to begin a journey together where the benefits could be divided among all, including traders”. And the President of Confesercenti, Gianluca Machetti, has confirmed saying: “"We are glad that there is an increase compared to the previous years. But we must also point out that the failure of the tourist flow management is not good to increase the traders counters. We should create a network linking the excavations and the center of the city of Pompeii because, currently, the benefits are confined exclusively to the archaeological site. We hope, however, to have, as soon as possible, greater foresight to give to the traders the awards they deserve for the hard work they do every day”. For a guided tour of Pompeii with a local guide enhanced with 3D virtual reality headsets view our tours here.
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AuthorStaff at Flashback Journey to Pompeii. Our goal is to bring you up-to-date information on events, continuing archeological excavations and more on Pompeii. Archives
July 2018
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