Business
Rome's Hotel Industry Sees Unprecedented Surge Amid Pope Francis' Funeral: A Record High in 2025
Rome’s Hotel Industry Achieves Record High Performance Amid Pope Francis' Funeral: A 2025 Surge
According to CoStar data, Rome's hotel industry reached its peak performance levels in 2025, coinciding with Pope Francis' funeral. Occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available room (RevPAR) surged on April 25, the day before the funeral. The short five-day notice of the event highlighted a unique market compression. Looking ahead, Rome’s hotel occupancy is expected to stay elevated.
Rome Hotel Performance During Pope Francis' Funeral
The peak occurred on April 25, the night before the funeral, with occupancy at 88.8%, an ADR of EUR 351.13, and a RevPAR of EUR 311.90—marking the highest daily performance of the year. The ADR reached the eighth highest ever recorded.
On April 26, the day of the funeral, room rates and RevPAR were the second highest for the year at EUR 336.45 and EUR 285.25, respectively. Occupancy rates were the fourth highest, at 84.8%.
ADR Increases Across Submarkets
On April 26, all of Rome’s submarkets saw double-digit increases in ADR. The Rome Centre reported the largest year-over-year growth, rising 42.1% to EUR 786.89.
Alexander Robinson, regional manager at STR, highlighted the impact of short-term events on the hotel industry. "Most events, whether sporting tournaments or concerts, are planned months in advance, allowing guests and hoteliers to adjust their budgets," Robinson explained. "Pope Francis' funeral was announced just five days before, creating a unique level of market compression."
Outlook
Looking forward, Rome’s hotel occupancy is expected to remain high. By May 7, with the start of the conclave, occupancy is projected at 84.2%, the highest level predicted for the next 90 days.
