Rome, Taormina and Sicily Set for Major Luxury Tourism Boost as Hyatt Expands Italy Portfolio with New Hyatt Regency, Thompson and Park Hyatt Hotels—Could Italy’s High-End Travel Market Enter a New Growth Era?

Rome, Taormina and Sicily are preparing for a significant hospitality expansion as Hyatt Hotels Corporation strengthens its presence in Italy with three new hotel openings scheduled between 2026 and 2028. The development will add 428 rooms and suites to Hyatt’s growing Italian portfolio while introducing the Hyatt Regency and Thompson Hotels brands to the country for the first time.

The expansion comes as Italy continues to rank among the world’s most sought-after tourism destinations. With international visitor spending forecast to reach a record €78 billion by 2035, according to projections from the travel and tourism sector, global hotel groups are increasingly investing in key Italian destinations to capture growing leisure, luxury and business travel demand.

For travellers, the new properties will provide additional accommodation choices in Rome and Sicily, while strengthening Italy’s position within Europe’s competitive hospitality landscape.

Hyatt Deepens Commitment to Italy

Italy has become one of Hyatt’s most important European growth markets.

The company currently operates six hotels across five brands in Italy, with properties located in Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence and Sardinia.

Since 2019, Hyatt has quadrupled the number of rooms within its Italian portfolio, reflecting strong confidence in the country’s tourism outlook.

The latest expansion reinforces that commitment and aligns with Hyatt’s broader European growth strategy, which includes more than 40 additional hotel openings across the continent in the coming years.

The three new properties will expand Hyatt’s presence across the upper-upscale, lifestyle and luxury travel segments.

Rome Gains Italy’s First Hyatt Regency

One of the most significant developments is the planned opening of Hyatt Regency Rome Central.

Scheduled to open near the end of the third quarter of 2026, the property will mark the debut of the Hyatt Regency brand in Italy.

Located close to Rome’s main Termini railway station, the hotel is designed to serve both leisure and business travellers.

Its strategic location offers direct access to transport networks, convention facilities and major tourist attractions throughout the Italian capital.

The property is expected to feature 238 rooms and suites, making it the largest of the three announced developments.

Additional amenities are planned to include a rooftop swimming pool, a pool bar and an Asian-inspired restaurant known as Niroma.

Rome Strengthens Its Business Tourism Appeal

The Hyatt Regency development highlights Rome’s growing importance as a meetings, conferences and events destination.

While Rome is traditionally known for leisure tourism, the city continues attracting increasing volumes of corporate travellers and international events.

Improved hospitality infrastructure supports this growth by providing accommodation options suitable for large gatherings, conferences and business meetings.

The Hyatt Regency brand operates more than 240 hotels and resorts across over 50 countries and is widely recognised for serving large-scale business and event travel markets.

Its arrival in Rome reflects the city’s evolving tourism profile.

Thompson Hotels Makes Italian Debut

Hyatt’s second Rome project will introduce another brand to the Italian market.

Thompson Rome is expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2026 and will become the first Thompson Hotels property in Italy.

The lifestyle-focused brand emphasises design, dining, culture and local experiences, making Rome a natural fit for its expansion.

The hotel will occupy a repurposed heritage building situated near some of the city’s most iconic attractions.

Guests will be within easy reach of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia, three of Rome’s most visited historic sites.

Boutique Luxury in the Heart of Rome

Thompson Rome will feature 69 rooms and is positioned to attract travellers seeking a more intimate and design-led hospitality experience.

The property is expected to include three dining venues.

Among the highlights will be a sixth-floor restaurant inspired by the Italian Riviera, alongside a rooftop cocktail bar offering views across the city.

The combination of heritage architecture and contemporary design reflects growing demand for experiential hospitality products in major European destinations.

Lifestyle hotels continue gaining popularity among younger travellers and luxury guests seeking distinctive local experiences.

Sicily Welcomes Park Hyatt Expansion

Beyond Rome, Hyatt is expanding into one of Italy’s most prestigious leisure destinations.

Park Hyatt Taormina is scheduled to open in 2028 and will become only the second Park Hyatt property in Italy after Park Hyatt Milan.

Located in Sicily, the luxury resort will strengthen Hyatt’s position in the high-end leisure travel segment.

Taormina is widely regarded as one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive destinations, attracting visitors through its coastal scenery, luxury resorts and cultural heritage.

The destination has experienced growing international interest in recent years.

Luxury Tourism Continues Growing in Sicily

The new Park Hyatt property is expected to feature 121 suites, each designed around luxury residential-style concepts.

Private terraces, views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, premium dining experiences and a wellness spa are among the planned offerings.

The project reflects increasing investment in Sicily’s luxury tourism sector, which continues attracting affluent international travellers seeking exclusive Mediterranean experiences.

Luxury accommodation remains one of the fastest-growing segments of global tourism, particularly in destinations known for culture, gastronomy and natural beauty.

Italy Remains a Global Tourism Powerhouse

Italy continues ranking among the world’s most visited countries.

From Rome’s historic landmarks and cultural attractions to Sicily’s coastal landscapes and culinary heritage, the country attracts visitors across a wide range of travel segments.

International tourism spending is projected to reach record levels during the coming decade, supported by strong demand from North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Hotel investment activity reflects confidence in this long-term growth trajectory.

Major international brands continue seeking opportunities to expand within key Italian destinations.

Key Hospitality and Tourism Statistics

• Hyatt plans to open three new hotels in Italy by 2028.
• The projects will add 428 rooms and suites.
• Hyatt Regency Rome Central will feature 238 rooms.
• Thompson Rome will offer 69 rooms.
• Park Hyatt Taormina will include 121 suites.
• Hyatt currently operates six hotels across five brands in Italy.
• Since 2019, Hyatt has quadrupled its room inventory in the country.
• International visitor spending in Italy is forecast to reach €78 billion by 2035.

Current Status as of 22 June 2026

• Hyatt Regency Rome Central is expected to open in Q3 2026.
• Thompson Rome is scheduled for Q4 2026.
• Park Hyatt Taormina is planned for 2028.
• Hyatt continues expanding across Europe with more than 40 additional hotels in development.
• Italy remains one of Europe’s strongest tourism and hospitality markets.

Timeline of Events

• Q3 2026 – Planned opening of Hyatt Regency Rome Central.
• Q4 2026 – Planned opening of Thompson Rome.
• 2028 – Planned opening of Park Hyatt Taormina.
• 2035 – Italy projected to reach €78 billion in international visitor spending.

Conclusion

Rome, Taormina and Sicily are entering a new chapter of hospitality growth as Hyatt Hotels Corporation expands its Italian footprint with three strategically positioned properties. The arrival of Hyatt Regency and Thompson Hotels in Italy, alongside the expansion of the Park Hyatt brand into Sicily, reflects growing confidence in the country’s tourism future. With luxury travel, lifestyle hospitality and business tourism all experiencing strong demand, the developments are set to strengthen Italy’s position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations while offering visitors new accommodation experiences across some of its most iconic locations.

Current Status (22 June 2026)

• Hyatt Regency Rome Central is scheduled to open in Q3 2026.
• Thompson Rome is scheduled for Q4 2026 opening.
• Park Hyatt Taormina is planned for 2028.
• Total addition of 428 rooms and suites across Italy.
• Hyatt continues accelerating European hospitality expansion.