Pompeii, Italy, has decided to limit the number of tourists to 20,000 per day from next week to combat overtourism and protect the historic site, buried in ashes in 79 AD.

The move comes after the heritage site recorded four million visitors over the summer. The entire civilization of Pompeii was incinerated by a devastating fire after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Archaeological park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said visitors to the main site now averaged more than 15,000 to 20,000 per day, and the new daily cap would prevent that number from rising further.

“We are working on a series of projects aimed at reducing human pressure on the site, which could pose risks both to visitors and to the heritage (which is) so unique and fragile,” Zuchtriegel said.

Another measure that officials hope will help control tourists is issuing personalized tickets that will include the visitor’s full name. Starting November 15, only 20,000 of these tickets would be released.

If the objective is not to keep history enthusiasts away from the legendary site, park managers

are trying to encourage tourists to visit other ancient sites linked to Pompeii, including Stabiae, Oplontis and Boscoreale, by offering a free shuttle as part of the Greater Pompeii project.

“Flow management and security measures as well as the personalization of tours are part of this strategy,” Zuchtriegel said. “We are aiming for slow, sustainable, pleasant and non-mass tourism and above all widespread throughout the territory around the Unesco site, which is full of cultural gems to discover.”

In April, Venice became the world’s first major tourist city to charge entry, in a trial aimed at deterring day-trippers and expected to return next year. The €5 (£4.15) levy, applied for 29 peak days and ending in July, was also an emergency response by local authorities to prevent the UNESCO heritage site from being listed black.

With AP inputs