Specialist agents and operators are experiencing a surge in demand for trips to Rome this year as the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year. This, combined with disruptions at alternative pilgrimage destinations due to conflict, is expected to draw millions of extra tourists to the city and is creating a logistical challenge.
The Catholic Church observed a Jubilee Year every 25 years, with occasional Holy Years in between, explained Gail Fowler, owner of Fowler Tours, a tour operator specialising in Christian pilgrimages.
“It’s a tradition that goes back to 1300. It’s a time for spiritual renewal, to reflect on our lives, seek reconciliation and deepen our relationship with God,” Fowler said. People are encouraged to pray more, do acts of charity and make pilgrimages, which can be to locally designated places or to places such as Rome and Israel.
Fowler said she had seen a significant increase in demand for pilgrimages this year, particularly to Rome. “In part, that might also be because travel to the Holy Land (Israel), which is normally the most popular pilgrimage destination, has been impaired by the war.”
As a result, according to Carla Vickers, owner of Italian Excursions, Rome is expecting to receive 35 million people this year. “We have definitely been advised by our DMC that because of the Jubilee, passengers need to book as early as possible to secure tours, transfers and hotel bookings. So it is definitely going to be overcrowded, and passengers must expect long queues.”
She said there would be a huge impact on services in the city. “Even just getting around Rome is going to be impacted due to the huge amount of people expected to be visiting the city.
“They have also warned that some major sites may not be accessible to tourists because of the Jubilee.”
Fowler said the overcrowding would be worse on days when there were Jubilee events. “Just to illustrate: in June there will be separate events for families, sports, priests, seminarians, church movements and governments. There will be groups from all over the world coming for these. Plus, there will be canonisations, which is when the church declares someone a saint. Those events can draw tens of thousands.”
In addition to these events, the Holy Doors to the four major basilicas in Rome will be open until the Jubilee Year ends on January 6, 2026. These entrances are only used during Jubilee Years.
Fowler recommended that agents made bookings for clients visiting Rome this year as early as possible to find well-located, affordable accommodation and flights. She added that it could be assumed there would be delays in visa processing times. “Trying to secure an appointment six weeks before departure can be a problem.”
She advised studying the Jubilee Events calendar, either to help travellers avoid the biggest crowds, or to find out which special events would attract clients.
