Rome is overrun by tourists. However, the economic return in many sectors is still not visible. This includes short-term rentals, from those who have decided to rent their homes to pilgrims arriving for the Jubilee.
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Rome is invaded by tourists. The numbers for 2025, the year of the Jubilee, are expected to match or exceed the data recorded in 2024 when Rome set a new record for tourism: 51.4 million overnight stays and 22.2 million arrivals, a 4.5% increase in stays and a 5.63% increase in arrivals, according to the Bilateral Tourism Board of Lazio.
Yet, the flip side of the coin is that the economic return is still not visible in many sectors. Starting with short-term rentals, where many properties intended for tourists and pilgrims remain empty, often with heavily discounted prices. Even hoteliers are not faring any better: “There hasn’t been a significant tourist influx, and hotel room prices have remained unchanged, just like before the Jubilee period,” said Giuseppe Roscioli, President of Federalberghi Roma, to the Nova agency.
Roscioli further explains, “Religious tourism generally doesn’t involve high spending.” This means that pilgrim groups often book accommodation outside of Rome, sometimes in other regions, or take advantage of Vatican agreements with religious facilities within the city, mainly located in the outskirts, provinces, and along the coast.
All the numbers of Rome’s 2025 Jubilee: the map of construction sites, which are ready and which are delayed
This translates to the fact that on major online hotel and short-term rental booking platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, there are still many available rooms in Rome. For example, there are about 8,000 rooms on Booking, with 1,300 in the Vatican-Prati area. Numerous hosts are offering rooms and apartments at heavily discounted prices, starting from a minimum of 50 euros per person per night in a semi-central Bed and Breakfast.
The fundamental problem for short-term rentals is the excess supply compared to demand. While the Jubilee will bring tourists to Rome, as highlighted in 2024, the Capital set a tourism record. However, the number of Airbnbs has skyrocketed without regulations preventing new openings, at least in Rome’s UNESCO zone. According to Tourism Councillor Alessandro Onorato, speaking to Fanpage.it last October, there were 31,000 short-term rentals in Rome, almost double the number counted three years ago.
In the Facebook group of Airbnb hosts in Rome, some are complaining about the lack of income. “I was waiting for this moment. Those who invested thinking about the Jubilee will unfortunately be very disappointed,” writes one host. Some responses include: “I knew it, the pilgrims have already been directed to convents.” “Many pilgrims stay in church facilities that offer meals and accommodation.” And further: “When they told me to raise prices, I said you raise them, I’ll lower them! Pilgrims have their religious circuits, and those who deal with luxury like me will have a terrible year. Those who can afford it will come next year without the crowds, lines, and various disruptions.”
“The people booking my house don’t even know about the Jubilee, the pilgrims simply move in groups and stay in ecclesiastical structures,” writes another host.
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