For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
It begins with the "stackers" who put rocks, trash, boots, and twigs on the mojones. Like graffiti, it says "I was here." Once the threshold is crossed, the gates are opened! Be an "unstacker," and clear the tops of mojones as you pass by (and pick up a water bottle now and then).I think that things such as cairns, crosses, and genuine pilgrim shrines are part of the Camino
Tourism
In 2011, Galicia welcomed almost 9.5 million visitors, consolidating its position as one of the leading tourist destinations in Spain. Although the tourism industry took longer to flourish in Galicia than in Spain’s eastern regions, the number of visitors that travel to Galicia is growing by the year, thanks to distinguishing values such as the Way of St. James, with destination Santiago de Compostela, and the quality and authenticity of Galician cuisine.
With facilities to accommodate 123,885 travellers, Galicia has an extensive and varied offer of hotels, hostels and guesthouses, over one hundred (115) campsites (for over 34,793 travellers) and 593 Rural Tourism accommodations. This potential positions Galicia as the fourth Spanish region in terms of the number of hotel establishments, behind the Balearic Islands, Andalusia and Catalonia, and the seventh in Spain in terms of the number of rooms (behind the aforementioned autonomous communities, the Canary Islands, Valencia and Madrid). Pontevedra is the fifth Spanish province in terms of hotel establishments.
In 2011 there were 183,378 pilgrims, so the "tourists" represent over 98% of the visitors to Santiago. Pilgrims deserve to be respected as much as anyone, but they should not feel that the city is theirs alone!
Haha! I thought I was the only unstacker! So nice to know I have company.It begins with the "stackers" who put rocks, trash, boots, and twigs on the mojones. Like graffiti, it says "I was here." Once the threshold is crossed, the gates are opened! Be an "unstacker," and clear the tops of mojones as you pass by (and pick up a water bottle now and then).
Egos. Nothing but egos. And yes, including leaving teddybears at the Cruz de ferro.What is it about people that they feel they have to leave physical evidence behind them?
The people you see in Santiago, and along trail are mostly tourists. Some are just there for the beauty of the city, will visit the monuments and will move on to other cities. They act in Santiago as they would in Madrid, Paris or London, and why not. Santiago is jist another beautiful city for them.But when so many pilgrims act like tourists, am I surprised that I was seen as just another tourist with no serious reason to be in Santiago?
Tourist office of Galicia and the Pilgrim Office.where you found out about this?
Our 2017 German Camino guidebook still claims tourism is not economically very important for Galicia. I found it a bit odd, because you don't really see so much obvious tourism anywhere else on the Camino as in Galicia.Tourist office of Galicia and the Pilgrim Office.
Dear All,
The following article [in Spanish] concerns a complaint by the people of Santiago which has arisen owing to the "new habit" of pilgrims leaving items tied to the city sign as they enter from the direction of the Camino Francés. This is not a tradition, and looks set to be prohibited. ....
Can we help spread the word that the Camino is not a place to leave unwanted items? Keep the Camino tidy!
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...sociacion-cidade-vella/0003_201707S2C3993.htm
Thanks Tigger - another of my "bug bears". I did manage to take a photo of the mileage (kilometerage???) plaque showing 100.743 (or thereabouts), but yes almost ALL the following 20 or 30 plaques have been stolen. Who in their right mind would take one of these - they are valueless except to those pilgrims (and ordinary travellers) who need emergency assistance.I would also like to bring to attention, the opposite phenomenon of removing 'physical souvenirs' from the Camino.
One of the delights of the last one hundred or so kilometres of the Camino Frances into Santiago, is the mileage posts with neat brass plaques with a 'kilometres' left to walk on it. MOST of these are missing, souvenired by selfish egotistical thoughtless idiots.
It is not only a disgrace that they are missing, however it is actually dangerous. .....
After having waited many minutes for an English speaking responder, they finally asked me what had the last brass 'mileage' plaque said, to which I replied...'they have all been stolen'. Silence and frustration, on the other end. It was lucky that the emergency, whilst severe enough, was not life threatening. My poor companion however was in terrible pain, nauseous and passing out.!
Our 2017 German Camino guidebook still claims tourism is not economically very important for Galicia. I found it a bit odd, because you don't really see so much obvious tourism anywhere else on the Camino as in Galicia.
The real shocker was the toilet paper everywhere.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?