The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI may actually boost travel to Italy. It's not because people dislike the current pope. They just want to be there for the action during a time of change.
On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will resign at the end of the month. He's the first pope to do so since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. The pope only took the office seven years ago but due to old age and deteriorating strength, he decided that he can no longer fulfill his role as pope.
A new pope will have to be elected during a conclave that is expected to start between March 15 and March 20. The Universi Dominici Gregis requires this conclave to occur 15 to 20 days after the pope leaves. This usually takes place after a pope dies.
Since the pope announced that he's going to resign, tour operators in Italy have noticed increased bookings for the time when the conclave is expected to take place, Travel Agent Central reports.
Within 48 hours of the announcement, short term bookings for the conclave period doubled as compared to travel in the previous year, Kier Matthew of Europe Express told Travel Agent Central.
"Clients want to be there for the Cardinal conclave," Matthews said. He believes the peaked interst in travel to Italy will last for the next six to eight months. "That's our current expectation," he said. "Our reservation staff is all working overtime and we are having record sales to Italy in the last week."
Travel Agent Gianni Miradoli of Central Holidays hasn't seen a direct increase in bookings but the tour operator is preparing for a potential boost in interest by providing more information on hotel availability and they're presenting special offers for customers. Miradoli also believed that a travel boost will last for many months to come.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
