euronews.com
Rome's 2025 Jubilee: Fewer Pilgrims, Disappointing Rental Market
Rome's 2025 Jubilee, projected to attract 30-35 million pilgrims, has seen far fewer visitors, resulting in a disappointing holiday rental market with landlords experiencing cancellations and rate reductions, and a potential shift toward long-term rentals.
- How did the expectations of landlords and the behavior of pilgrims contribute to the underwhelming performance of the holiday rental market during the Jubilee?
- The lower-than-expected tourist influx is attributed to several factors: pilgrims opting for alternative accommodations (convents, hotels outside the city), the death and subsequent papal transition impacting initial projections, and possibly, the pre-Jubilee hype leading some tourists to avoid the city due to anticipated crowds and inflated prices. This situation highlights the challenges of relying on large-scale events to boost local economies, especially in the face of unpredictable external factors.
- What is the actual impact of the 2025 Jubilee on Rome's tourism and holiday rental market, and what factors contributed to the discrepancy between projected and actual visitor numbers?
- Despite initial projections of 30-35 million pilgrims, early 2025 Jubilee data shows significantly fewer visitors to Rome. This has led to disappointing results for the holiday rental market, with some landlords experiencing cancellations and reduced rates. The underwhelming tourist numbers contrast with the city's extensive pre-Jubilee renovations.
- Could the disappointing results of the 2025 Jubilee in Rome mark a turning point in the dominance of short-term holiday rentals, and what are the potential long-term implications for the city's housing market and tourism sector?
- The Jubilee's impact on Rome's housing market may signal a shift away from the short-term rental model. Disappointed landlords are reportedly reconsidering, converting properties back to long-term rentals. This could alleviate some pressure on the city's rental crisis, but long-term effects remain to be seen, depending on future tourism levels and any lasting economic consequences from the unexpected downturn.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction immediately establish a negative tone, focusing on the anxieties of Romans rather than the broader context of the Jubilee. The article emphasizes negative consequences, such as soaring inflation and unaffordable rent, before presenting any potential positive aspects. This framing guides the reader to interpret the Jubilee primarily as a negative event.
Language Bias
The article uses emotionally charged language such as "shivers down the spine," "tragic," "disaster," and "false hopes." These terms contribute to a negative portrayal of the Jubilee. More neutral alternatives could include "concerns," "challenges," "disappointing results," and "unrealistic expectations.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of the Jubilee on Roman residents, particularly renters, and gives less weight to the positive aspects of the beautification projects and potential economic benefits for some businesses. While the negative experiences are valid and important, a more balanced perspective would include data on the economic benefits to the city and the positive experiences of some residents or businesses.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the Jubilee as either a complete success or a complete failure, overlooking the possibility of mixed results and regional variations within Rome. The experiences of different stakeholders are presented as uniformly positive or negative, ignoring nuance.
Gender Bias
The article features several male voices (Giulio, Federico Ndoj, Raffaele de Paola) and one female voice (Rosanna De Bonis). While this is not necessarily biased, it could benefit from including more diverse perspectives and ensuring balanced gender representation across viewpoints.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Jubilee celebrations in Rome exacerbated existing inequalities. The influx of pilgrims and tourists, coupled with increased demand for short-term rentals, led to a surge in housing costs, making it difficult for residents, particularly low-income individuals and young professionals, to find affordable housing. This is further compounded by salary stagnation and limited job opportunities in the city, highlighting a widening gap between the wealthy and the less privileged.