An Easy Way to Help (at least a little)

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking a lot about those in Camino-land who are being negatively affected by the ongoing public health emergency. I know some are exploring ways to support financially, or in other ways. There's one easy thing that all of us can do now, though, while we're sheltering-in-place, that can help albergues (and other accommodations), restaurants, authors, and others involved with the pilgrimage: write positive reviews of places and resources you love. Write accommodation reviews on Gronze, Google, and Booking. Write book reviews here in the forum bookstore and on Amazon. Review restaurants on Google and Yelp. People are relying on these more and more to shape their choices, so a big push in support could help a place get back on its feet once we're back on ours.

(And yeah, I recognize this could be a self-serving post, as an author. The guidebooks are just a hobby for me, though, and I have nothing financially riding on them. I do worry about how my publisher, Cicerone, will manage a multi-month cessation of travel, though, and I also have concerns for my fellow guidebook authors and publishers who are more reliant on this income. Please support them all.)

Dave

 

[Shades of Narnia]

Great ideas here. I just heard of another, from a local-to-me sporting goods shop - buy gift certificates for friends, family now, to be redeemed when the world engages again. Applied to the Camino, I already have a daily listing of planned Albergues for my postponed Via de la Plata......is it possible to prepay Municipal Albergues, as a sign of faith and support along the Way? And do you think it would help the economy there? I don't believe Perochial Albergues need it as costs are negligible once they close doors there. Municipals may want to compensate staff on leave. Your thoughts?

 

[C clearly]

is it possible to prepay Municipal Albergues

While the gesture is very kind, I can't imagine that the municipalities would want to set up and manage a payment system for this amount of income. Some of those albergues are being used as shelters for emergency purposes. I think that we pilgrims are not at the forefront of their minds, at the moment. Hopefully there will be a time in the not-too-distant future when we can help support the pilgrim infrastructure again.

 

[Shades of Narnia]

While the gesture is very kind, I can't imagine that the municipalities would want to set up and manage a payment system for this amount of income. Some of those albergues are being used as shelters for emergency purposes. I think that we pilgrims are not at the forefront of their minds, at the moment. Hopefully there will be a time in the not-too-distant future when we can help support the pilgrim infrastructure again.

Of course, thanks for clarity. Good intentions