- Time of past OR future Camino
- Many
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.
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.