Rome faces b&b boom as holy year looms, mayor warns
The mayor of Rome has expressed concerns about a specific issue increasingly impacting the city. The concern revolves around the growing number of bed and breakfast (B&B) establishments in the center of the Eternal City.
6:23 PM EDT, November 2, 2024
Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, highlighted that Italian mayors do not have the power to control this trend. This is a serious problem as the upcoming Holy Year approaches, during which the capital expects around 30 million pilgrims and tourists from nearly all over the world.
The problem in Rome
During a meeting on Thursday, Roberto Gualtieri addressed the issues with B&B accommodations as part of preparations for the Holy Year 2025.
He pointed out that the lack of appropriate powers for local governments complicates the situation. "Today, mayors in Italy—almost uniquely in the world—do not have the authority to limit this phenomenon," he emphasized.
The city authorities are concerned that continued growth in accommodations could lead to the depopulation of Rome's center. "It is crucial to prevent entire areas in the center from depopulating and being converted into tourist apartments because the residents of this part of the city are the most important," added the mayor.
Residents of Rome do not hide their concern about the situation
Residents of the Italian capital are also voicing their worries. At the end of October, the local community protested at Campo de' Fiori against excessive tourism and its impact on daily life. City authorities emphasize that they do not wish to eliminate the B&B sector entirely but aim to regulate it.
