Last year the demand for religious hospitality in Italy was 16% higher than the pre-pandemic year 2019.
Religious-related overnights were over 20 million
This data, processed by the Religious Hospitality Association of Italy, reveals that stays in religious facilities grew by 46% over 2022 last year. The association's president Fabio Rocchi explains that in 2023 religious hospitality accommodation hosted some five million people for a total of 20 million overnights. The catchment profile was mainly groups of pilgrims, religious movements and walkers travelling at specific times of the year. The demand from families also grew, with a significant number of university students and out-of-town workers.
Rome and Lazio top the list with some 29,500 beds
Italy has some 2,400 registered religious properties, with an average of 74 beds each. They offer services for spiritual, tourism, work or study stays and are managed by orders, congregations, dioceses and parishes. In addition to these, there are a further 500 non-profit lay organizations. The properties are spread throughout the country, but Rome and Lazio represent the areas of greatest concentration with almost 29,500 beds. This is followed by Veneto with over 19,000, and Emilia Romagna with more than 16,500.
