The authorities of several European countries at once started talking about restrictions for tourists. Since the coronavirus pandemic, the flow of travelers has been so great that some attractions have become overloaded, which can lead to damage.
So, in Greece, from September 4, it is planned to introduce a quota for the number of visitors to the Athenian Acropolis. No more than 20,000 people will be allowed in here per day. Every hour a certain number of guests will be able to enter the museum complex. At the same time, the time spent in the ancient temple is not limited, although on average a tourist spends about 45 minutes on the territory. For now, the limit will be introduced in test mode, but by April next year, the rule will become mandatory. By then, the Ministry of Culture will evaluate the effectiveness and, if necessary, adjust the system.
“It is obvious that tourism is important for the country, for all of us. But we must make sure that it does not damage the monument,” said Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. She also added that, most likely, this practice will subsequently be applied to other places of interest in Greece.
In turn, in Italy, they also seek to protect some attractions from guests. In particular, after one of the tourists bathing in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the city council proposed to charge a fee for visiting the facility or installing special turnstiles. Given the recent incidents with the spelling of names on the Colosseum by foreigners, control may be tightened here as well. In addition, since July, the entrance to the Roman Pantheon has also become paid for.
In France, travelers are asked to completely refuse to visit the famous monastery of Mont Saint-Michel in the summer. Guests are advised to come during the off-season so as not to overload the island. Every year, the attraction receives about 3 million tourists a third of them – are in the summer. In addition to the damage to the old buildings, the visitors themselves also receive inconvenience, who, due to the overcrowding of the facility, cannot calmly inspect the historical monument.