código de buenas prácticas

[DettheKangaroo]

You're probably all aware of this already but I just found out - from a look at the local news - two points of particular interest for us wandering pilgrims:

A código de buenas prácticas (code of conduct) has been introduced for pilgrims in Santiago DC in the past week. The G television report interviewed a few pilgrims outside the Cathedral who seemed unaware. Another report pointed to cases of people "picnicing in the Praza do Obradoiro", sleeping outdoors overnight in sleeping bags and noisiness as inappropriate behaviour. I think the focus at present is more on public awareness than penalties - but I'd think fines are on the table.[/HEADING]

I quite like the slogan - "You have the right to enjoy it and the obligation to take care of it!"

Tourist Tax: A bill has been proposed for a DAILY tourist tax to be introduced across Galicia's most culturally popular locations - including Santiago De Compostela.
They're looking at charging between 0.5 Euros in pensiones and 2.5 Euros in five-star hotels (charged at max of 6 days regardless of duration)
If approved, there will be exemptions for some travellers, including under-18s and those living with a disability "equal to or greater than 66 percent."

 

[dick bird]

Santiago isn´t the only city having problems with visitors: Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice are just three cities where the influx of visitors has caused locals to complain and where sheer numbers have put a strain on public services such as police, health and transport as well as pushing up the price of housing. Misbehaviour by some visitors has not exactly helped endear them to the resident population. A tax to help meet the cost and a code of conduct to reduce anti-social behaviour sound like a good idea.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes the new code went into effect on Monday, I believe. It includes things like not riding your bike in pedestrian areas, not playing music in the plaza, not eating in the plaza, not drinking alcohol on the plaza, not banging your poles or walking sticks on the paving stones, not sleeping in the plaza, etc.

The story I read said that there are not currently ordinances for all these, but the new mayor is going to encourage the city council to consider fines, etc.

Several stories over recent weeks in La Voz about locals being run down by bikes, and videos of pilgrims eating, drinking, playing music, sleeping. Ivar has also mentioned it in one of his videos.

Wondering what will happen with the bagpipers since that location is also nearby...wonder if they will clear out the circus of mimes, etc?

 

[Kathar1na]

Wondering what will happen with the bagpipers since that location is also nearby.

The bagpipers and other musicians in the space/gate before you enter the Obradoiro square have a licence from the city administration. They work on a rota basis and strictly during the permitted time of the day.

 

[Kathar1na]

wonder if they will clear out the circus of mimes, etc

This comment is not aimed at any poster in particular, it's just to say that it often amuses me greatly when the medieval patrimony needs protection from the less spiritual and the less aesthetical and the less non-commercial. We want it to be medieval looking but please not too much medieval scenery - what did the spaces around the Cathedral look like in the years from 1140 to 1492 I wonder? Who was milling around there, the sights, the smells, the noises, the ongoing daily activities ...

In any case, this Code of Good Practice is a good move and apparently necessary.

 

[J Willhaus]

This comment is not aimed at any poster in particular, it's just to say that it often amuses me greatly when the medieval patrimony needs protection from the less spiritual and the less aesthetical and the less non-commercial. We want it to be medieval looking but please not too much medieval scenery - what did the spaces around the Cathedral look like in the years from 1140 to 1492 I wonder? Who was milling around there, the sights, the smells, the noises, the ongoing daily activities ...

Probably people selling scallop shells for the return trip, but I doubt a St James look a like with silver make up was posing for photos or a tourist train clattering around...

 

[DettheKangaroo]

I saw some pretty deplorable behaviour today - people physically pushing others out of their way to race into the Cathedral once the Botafumeiro Mass had finished. A girl and her friends clearly and desperately wanted some attention by wearing an inflatable pig costume through the Praza da Obradoiro in the morning.
The 'Me First-Look At Me' pandemic almost every few metres made me wonder why are so many actually here.
And then I also saw some sweeter signs of humanity (together with their canine friends). It will certainly be interesting to see how/if there will be any effect on the rather ugly side of this otherwise very beautiful journey.

 

[Kathar1na]

Yes the new code went into effect on Monday, I believe. It includes things like not riding your bike in pedestrian areas, not playing music in the plaza, not eating in the plaza, not drinking alcohol on the plaza, not banging your poles or walking sticks on the paving stones, not sleeping in the plaza, etc.

Can you point us to a copy of the new code? It would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[J Willhaus]

El Ayuntamiento de Santiago saca un decálogo de buenas prácticas para evitar las actitudes incívicas relacionadas con el turismo

Desde hoy desplegará en redes sociales, calles del casco histórico y albergues y hoteles de la ciudad y de sus proximidades las claves para que los turistas contribuyan a la convivencia y el respeto del patrimonio

www.lavozdegalicia.es

Don't know if you can access this? Several articles in La Voz the past few weeks. This is one.

 

[Kathar1na]

Don't know if you can access this? Several articles in La Voz the past few weeks. This is one.

I've seen this article and the photo, and I think that I found copies of the code online but they do not say "not playing music in the plaza, not eating in the plaza, not drinking alcohol on the plaza". The one I found says in point 7:

7. VISUAL QUALITY​

The cityscape surrounding you is of exceptional value: it is not a picnic area or a campsite. Discover Santiago as a gastronomy capital in our magnificent restaurants.​

​

This is why I wonder whether there is another new code and if so whether there is a link to it.

 

[thejoker]

The code sounds like a sound move forward and a tourist tax is becoming more common. I'm less sure about a pilgrim tax though and as a pilgrim, I wouldn't be happy being considered a tourist, especially after all the years of Spain and SdC in particular promoting the pilgrimage and encouraging people to walk as pilgrims.

 

[J Willhaus]

I've seen this article and the photo, and I think that I found copies of the code online but they do not say "not playing music in the plaza, not eating in the plaza, not drinking alcohol on the plaza". The one I found says in point 7:

7. VISUAL QUALITY​

The cityscape surrounding you is of exceptional value: it is not a picnic area or a campsite. Discover Santiago as a gastronomy capital in our magnificent restaurants.​

​

This is why I wonder whether there is another new code and if so whether there is a link to it.

I just know there was a reference to guitar playing, eating and drinking as being looked down on although is perhaps no specific ordinance so a fine could be exacted. I have read several articles in the past months and not sure specifically if there was a link to this new code.

 

[Kathar1na]

This pdf file https://www.santiagoturismo.com/files/2023/08/TRAZADO3IDIOMASRUEIRO79x1121.pdf looks very much like the poster in the photo of the La Voz de Galicia article:

 

[J Willhaus]

This pdf file https://www.santiagoturismo.com/files/2023/08/TRAZADO3IDIOMASRUEIRO79x1121.pdf looks very much like the poster in the photo of the La Voz de Galicia article:

View attachment 153993
View attachment 153994

Yes, a lot of general advice, but few specifics...it may take a more direct approach to stop some behaviors considered wrong such as eating, drinking, etc...

 

[DettheKangaroo]

So many finish the physical Camino, but many more have a long way to go toward working on their pride and conceit. It seems so simple - respect for others over oneself.