In January, there was even a slight decline in bookings compared to the same month last year, as reported by the newspaper "La Repubblica" (Thursday).
For the Holy Year 2025, which Pope Francis opened on Christmas Eve, 32 million visitors were actually expected in Rome; that would be almost 50 per cent more than in 2024.
However, according to data from the hotel association "Federalberghi", there are no signs of a visitor boom at present or in the coming weeks.
According to the data, thousands of accommodations offered via Airbnb are empty, and even for March and April there is still no sign of a turnaround.
As a result, some people are now offering their flats at dumping prices. For example, a flat a few steps from St Peter's Basilica with "all the comforts" is available for 62 instead of 130 euros per night.
According to the report, there are also plenty of discounts on the Booking portal among the almost 18,000 hotels, holiday homes, B&Bs and hostels in Rome.
"Black months"
Dario Pileri, president of the ProLocaTur landlords' association, explained that although January and February have been "black months" so far, he is not pessimistic.
"The days of the big celebrations for the Holy Year will come - along with the guests."
At the moment, however, everything is still at a standstill; those who have relied solely on the jubilee year have taken a risky approach.
According to the newspaper, another problem for tourist arrivals in Rome is looming for the summer: the low-cost airline Ryanair wants to withdraw one of its aircraft stationed in Fiumicino "despite the jubilee celebrations" and not offer any more flights at Ciampino Airport - also due to increased airport costs.
Rome's tourism commissioner Alessandro Onorato nevertheless expressed confidence that the investments made by the city government for the Holy Year would provide an "enormous image boost" for the Eternal City.