2024 - albergue trends... or non-trends

[wisepilgrim]

As I wade through the hundreds of emails and whatsapp from hospitaleros, I am noticing a few commonalities but it is really difficult to pinpoint any concrete trends for 2024. The only real certainty is that things have finally stabilized in comparison to previous years (since covid).

For pilgrims that means that price increases are not as dramatic as they were in past years. The overwhelming majority of albergues are not raising prices for albergues, and of those that are doing so the price is only moving +1€. In the few cases where the increase is more, it is coming from albergues that did not adjust their prices in the previous 12+ months and the new rates are closer to the overall average.

Interestingly, many albergues are now reporting smaller bed counts. One has abandoned bunk beds altogether in favor of double rooms, but has lowered the price of the double rooms. But quite a few more are abandoning their private rooms for more dormitory bunks… this is a reversal of the trend that covid brought us.

The biggest changes are in the opening and closing dates. For 2023 many albergues, likely exhausted from a busy year, are moving their closing dates forward by 2-4 weeks. If you are a winter pilgrim be sure to plan a few days ahead to ensure that you are not caught out by an unexpected closure. The most notable closure is Emaus in Burgos, which may or may not be reopened by the Franciscanos Capuchinos

And for 2024 many albergues are pushing their opening dates a week or two back, likely to extend their holidays and give more time for repairs and preparation.

One albergue no longer accepts dogs, after too many bad experiences.

A few are ‘meditating’ on whether to accept luggage transfer.

More albergues are turning to WhatsApp for reservations, search the forum for threads about WhatsApp.

And lastly, for now, there are quite a few albergue closures this year and not nearly as many new openings as I am accustomed to. A few of these are for rest, and a few more are for unexpected and grave medical issues. A good reminder to treat your hosts with kindness.

I will follow up with more observations after the books are all updated, but this so far is how I see things.

 

[dougfitz]

Thank you, @wisepilgrim, for sharing this sneak peak at what 2024 might be like for those walking in Spain.

 

[J Willhaus]

Thanks Micheal for this overview.

 

[Former member 104756]

The biggest changes are in the opening and closing dates. For 2023 many albergues, likely exhausted from a busy year, are moving their closing dates forward by 2-4 weeks. If you are a winter pilgrim be sure to plan a few days ahead to ensure that you are not caught out by an unexpected closure. The most notable closure is Emaus in Burgos, which may or may not be reopened by the Franciscanos Capuchino

Thank you @wisepilgrim for your post and this in particular. We’ve just arrived today in SJPP via Le Puy Way. To Roncesvalles tomorrow and on to SdeC. Have chosen this time of year in hope of a less crowded camino. Hoping to wing it, as I did 10 years ago, but will be mindful of above. Have had a look at Gronze for next little while and see some albergue closures from 15 October. I can see that planning a day or two ahead may be the way to go

Muchas gracias.

 

[Former member 104756]

A good reminder to treat your hosts with kindness.

Yes indeed. Always. Many are no doubt exhausted

 

[D74]

Thanks @wisepilgrim for the update, keep up the great work.

 

[David Tallan]

And lastly, for now, there are quite a few albergue closures this year and not nearly as many new openings as I am accustomed to.

With numbers of pilgrims seeming to increase and the number of albergues seeming to decrease, I wonder if this will create issues, especially since "many albergues are now reporting smaller bed counts". It seems logical it would, unless a greater proportion of pilgrims are staying in non-albergue accommodations, which is certainly possible.