The election of Pope Leo XIV, the primary pope hailing from each America and Peru, has spurred palpable anticipation amongst enterprise homeowners and authorities in Rome. They foresee a notable enhance in American vacationers, captivated by the distinctive nature of his preach.
On condition that the USA already constitutes Rome’s largest vacationer demographic—accounting for half of the town’s 5 million guests in 2024—the potential of but extra vacationers, particularly given the U.S.’s substantial Catholic inhabitants, is definitely fueling optimism. Nonetheless, as Rome wrestles with the implications of overtourism, metropolis officers are certainly considering methods geared toward balancing financial advantages and long-term viability.
A Enhance for Rome’s Tourism Trade
The Roman tourism sector, fairly vital to the Italian financial system, is presently abuzz. Inside Trastevere, shopkeepers view Leo XIV’s Chicago background as a draw for North and South American vacationers. Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s deputy for tourism, identified that American guests are already vital within the metropolis, numbering roughly 313,000 inside the preliminary two months of 2025, out of a complete of about 633,000.
The election of a pontiff with American connections is predicted to amplify these customer numbers, particularly as varied U.S. dioceses apparently plan pilgrimages starting in 2026, in line with Stefano Corbari.
American vacationers are sometimes valued due to their spending habits. A survey, performed round February 2025 by the ETC, indicated that nearly a 3rd of American vacationers intend to spend past €200 day by day in Europe, forward of Chinese language and Canadian vacationers. Whereas maybe not as lavish as beforehand, American budgets nonetheless look like within the “higher center” vary, with a give attention to curated experiences, in line with Corbari. Moreover, Pope Leo XIV’s Peruvian origins can also appeal to South American guests, who’re additionally thought-about priceless purchasers, presumably resulting in higher range inside the metropolis’s tourism market.
Affect on the Economic system and Tradition
Tourism accounts for, roughly, over 6% of Italy’s GDP and near 13% when factoring oblique results like tradition and eating places, in line with ISTAT, the nation’s statistics institute. The Vatican will, additionally, doubtless profit, seeing its museums would possibly doubtlessly witness expanded customer numbers, serving to to offset its deficit in 2023. For Rome, the potential inflow of pilgrims guarantees to spice up native companies, whereas additionally bolstering the town’s place as a significant cultural and religious heart.
The Problem of Overtourism
The increasing tourism in Rome associated to the election of Pope Leo XIV will not be with out problem, nonetheless. Overtourism, which has worsened following the post-COVID surroundings, has elevated lodging costs, and burdened native infrastructure. Typically, residents and even policymakers are extra vocal in regards to the want for sustainable tourism approaches. Town council is presumably weighing totally different measures, corresponding to a charge for accessing widespread websites (such because the Trevi Fountain) and, maybe, capping the variety of vacation leases. Such steps seemingly attempt to align with the present Pope’s emphasis on sustainability, searching for to make sure that tourism enhances, with out diminishing, the town.
A Strategic Alternative
The election of Pope Leo XIV provides Rome an opportunity to capitalize on its attract. By leveraging his background, Rome would possibly appeal to numerous vacationers, from the united statesA., the place, specifically, enthusiasm is excessive. Good advertising, corresponding to selling tour packages, might amplify that impact. On the identical time, Rome should handle challenges by revolutionary approaches to protect the town’s tradition and the final high quality of life.
