Jubilee 2025 - Cautious optimism...is it misplaced?

Posted by sidewaysrain56 on 11/14/24 01:57 AM

Seeking the opinions of more experienced Europe travelers, especially those who may have visited Italy in previous Jubilee years. The upcoming 2025 Jubilee is forecast to make an already jam-packed Italy even more overcrowded, but looking at special events in other cities makes me wonder if the impact might end up less overwhelming. Specifically - the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and this year's Games in Paris didn't have the nightmarish levels of traffic and crowding that were forecast. Businesses rearranged operations, residents took vacations during the Games, and tourists made alternate plans during those periods. I realize that comparing a multi-week event to one lasting an entire year is of questionable relevance...but is it possible that the same effect might appear during Jubilee?

The last "regularly scheduled" Jubilee was in 2000, but Pope Francis declared a special one in 2016. Does anyone remember the effects on tourism numbers in '16?

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

11/14/24 02:21 AM

5492 posts

I dont see any comfort in looking at a 2 week sporting event from 40 years ago and comparing it to a year long religious event 40 years later. LA saw less than 6 million visitors. Estimates for the Paris Olympics /Paralympics were around 11 million for their duration. A more appropriate comparison might be the number of people who made the pilgrimage to Mecca this year -30 million. Numbers for the Jubilee year are predicted to be around 35 million for Rome alone. Make of that what you will. The majority will be visiting primarily for the Jubilee, with visits to other Italian cities secondary.

I had the misfortune to arrive in Rome for my first visit the day before the Pope was to canonize 4 new saints. Or perhaps it was beatifications- i forget now. In any event, practically the whole city was gridlocked for 2 days as countless motorcades brought in foreign dignitaries and high ranking clerics. Trying to get around the city was a nightmare. I doubt Rome will see that next year, outside of a few of the more important events. But dont kid yourself- Rome will be slammed for most of the year. The rest of Italy not so much.

Posted by Roberto da Firenze ⚜

San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

11/14/24 11:41 PM

16133 posts

I was in Italy (including Rome in 2000) three times for the Jubilee (I needed to redeem a lot of sins that year), in early January, June, and around Thanksgiving. June was definitely crowded (every June is, but that year in particular), January and November not so much, compared to a normal high season. I wouldn’t worry about other cities so much, as they would have the usual number of tourists, which is still a high number during peak months in cities like Florence and Venice.

Posted by Mr É ..............(Пан E ►)

Magyarország / Rep of Texas

12/22/24 11:32 AM

20461 posts

This might be once in a life time opportunity. You never know. 9 out of 10 times the problems are exaggerated as that's what sells clicks. I would maybe avoid the high season .... maybe not. Might just want to dive down into the heart of it and become part of it.

I do know that Rome would be no more than 3 nights, then off to find cities and smaller religious centers that might be doing something to honor the event.

This is an opportunity to be a smart traveler and prove you can experience something unique and special and find enjoyment and personal enrichment in doing so. Very, very possible I think.

Why did I post? Very good chance I will take my own advice. The rest of Europe will be the same this year, next year and the year after.