Pilgrim arrivals statistics 2017

[fraluchi]

Pilgrim arrivals – January to April 2017

Total arrivals for the first quarter of 2017: 35’155 This is an increase of 20% compared to arrivals during the same period in 2016.

The mix of locals and foreigners has not changed from last year’s: (45% Spanish, 55% foreigners). However the mix in age groups has substantially changed: 35% of less than 30 (increase of 17%), 53% of pilgrims aged between 30 and 60 (increase of 80%) and 12% of over 60 (no change).

The various Caminos had the following number of pilgrims and increases (%) compared to last year:

1) Frances (60% of all pilgrim arrivals) 21’243 (+14%) with 11’408 starting in Sarria (+ 21%)

2) Portugues (25% of all pilgrim arrivals) 8’700 (+44%) with 2’208 starters from Tui (+60%) and 3’139 from Oporto (+54%)

3) Other main Caminos’ walkers varied as follows: Norte 1’184 (+26%), Primitivo 1’219 (+20%) and Ingles 1’357 (+18%). The Via de la Plata, 1’201 pilgrims, was -8% compared to 2016.

During the first days of May 2017, the pilgrims' office in Santiago recorded over 1'000 daily arrivals.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Those are huge increases. Anyone have any idea why these numbers are so significantly higher?

 

[Luka]

Wow, those are impressive numbers!

@Kathar1na I guess that might be half of the explanation. But still, people that normally choose between Turkey, Greece or Spain are heading for the beaches and are not very interested in walking every day with a pack and sleeping in bunkbeds...

 

[Jersey]

Those are huge increases. Anyone have any idea why these numbers are so significantly higher?

Speaking strictly as someone from the United States.
Take a look at the exchange rate this year compared to last year.
Look at what our stock market has done the past year.
But more importantly, the more people that walk the Camino, the more popular it gets and even more will walk in the future.
It's going to get really crowded in the future

 

[fraluchi]

Seasonal factors (weather, Easter) were comparable during the first quarter over the last 5 years. The main foreign nationals which increased during this period of 2017, compared to 2016, were: Portuguese (3'394) +10%, Germans (3'062) + 9%, Italians (1'683) + 5%, Irish (1'304) + 4%, USA (1'264) + 4% Several other nationals, including many Koreans, were less than 1'000 and all increased about 1% compared to 2016.

 

[fraluchi]

Another amazing situation is the increase of first quarter arrivals over the last 5 years (and the starters from Sarria): 2013: 21K (7 k), 2014: 22 K (7K), 2015: 26K (8K), 2016: 29K (9K), 2017: 35K (11K)
As Jersey writes: "It's going to get really crowded in the future"

 

[fraluchi]

[...]

• As in 2017, Easter 2010 fell in April, which is the best time to encourage pilgrims. Indeed, the fact that Easter coincided in March last year caused a decline in pilgrimages compared to the 2015 Holy Week. (Google translation with minor adjustments).

Short memories: Easter fell since 2010 on
2010 4th april; 2011 24th April; 2012 8th April; 2013 EXCEPTION 31st March; 2014 20th April; 2015 5th April
This is why one should not compare apples with pears and keep records "seasonally adjusted". The quarterly figures have some meaning.
Keeping track of national holidays also helps in comparing apples with apples.

 

[Pelegrin]

Acording to La Voz, 52000 compostelas have been issued so far (2017).
8600 more than same period last year.
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/notici...-peregrinos-8600-ano/0003_201705G18P10994.htm

 

[camino07]

Pilgrim arrivals – January to April 2017

Total arrivals for the first quarter of 2017: 35’155 This is an increase of 20% compared to arrivals during the same period in 2016.

The mix of locals and foreigners has not changed from last year’s: (45% Spanish, 55% foreigners). However the mix in age groups has substantially changed: 35% of less than 30 (increase of 17%), 53% of pilgrims aged between 30 and 60 (increase of 80%) and 12% of over 60 (no change).

The various Caminos had the following number of pilgrims and increases (%) compared to last year:

1) Frances (60% of all pilgrim arrivals) 21’243 (+14%) with 11’408 starting in Sarria (+ 21%)

2) Portugues (25% of all pilgrim arrivals) 8’700 (+44%) with 2’208 starters from Tui (+60%) and 3’139 from Oporto (+54%)

3) Other main Caminos’ walkers varied as follows: Norte 1’184 (+26%), Primitivo 1’219 (+20%) and Ingles 1’357 (+18%). The Via de la Plata, 1’201 pilgrims, was -8% compared to 2016.

During the first days of May 2017, the pilgrims' office in Santiago recorded over 1'000 daily arrivals.

I'd bet the numbers for the VdlP will be up for the next couple of months though .

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Reading these numbers really makes me scratch my head! I would have never dreamed the Camino "population" would have exploded like this...
With the upcoming release of the movie (in June 2017) "I'll push you", I could only imagine what that will do for the numbers.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

So, for May 2017, did the number of compostelas increase by 20%, too, compared to 2016?

It's all here: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas/

May 2016 to May 2017: up 7.8%.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Those are unbelievable numbers. Interesting increases of abroad pilgrims.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The number of Germans and Italians is staggering.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Yikes.
I'm waiting for things to slow down, I think...

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Huge increase in Italian and Germans

 

[fraluchi]

The number of Germans and Italians is staggering.

Apart from the Spanish, Italians and Germans have been traditional high volume Camino walkers. Spain's Caminos are better organized and have substantially cheaper facilities.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I just looked at the number of Compostelas issued since my first Camino, in 2007. Numbers have trippled! From 12 000 to 36 000. What business would not like to see its clientele tripple? But who would like to see traffic going by one's home tripple?

 

[Parham]

Here is a hypothesis, which is not novel and perhaps obvious: the demographic trend of a huge number of "Baby Boomers" retiring and looking for age-appropriate adventures may explain some of the increases. Are there stats on the changes in age categories? This would validate the hypothesis, or otherwise.

I suspect if the demographic impact is correct, then the "easier" Caminos may see even bigger relative increases, as will services that help people complete the Caminos with less stress on the body, such as luggage transport.

The flip side of the demographic trend is that some of the competitive and more strenuous events such as running marathons and triathlons are seeing major decreases as "old running knees" are converting to walking. I know it, because I am one

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Great thoughts on this topic Missi

 

[Bradypus]

I just looked at the number of Compostelas issued since my first Camino, in 2007. Numbers have trippled! From 12 000 to 36 000. What business would not like to see its clientele tripple? But who would like to see traffic going by one's home tripple?

In 1990 - the year of my first Camino - 4,918 Compostelas were issued. I walked the Camino Frances for the third time last year when the number issued was 277,915. That is more than fifty-five times the earlier number.

https://www.csj.org.uk/the-present-day-pilgrimage/pilgrim-numbers/

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Within the last week I read a travel article online talking about Spain's affordability for travelers. It also recommended the Camino as an inexpensive way to see Spain.

 

[fraluchi]

Year-to-date pilgrim statistics 2017 (Jan-Aug)

Some substantial differences, compared to 2016, are becoming noticeable. To date, the overall number of pilgrim arrivals recorded in Santiago increased by 8%

The Camino Frances remains the main route chosen by pilgrims, but now represents 59% (63% in 2016) of all arrivals. When looking closer, the absolute numbers walking the Frances increased by a mere 2% due to the increase in pilgrim numbers starting from Sarria (+ 10%). Most other arrivals from starting points along the Camino Frances, including from SJPP, record a decrease.

The Camino Portugues shows a hefty increase of 29% (last year already 63% more than during 2015), with some increases of 43% from Oporto and 40% from Tui.

The Camino Primitivo pilrgrims added 13% to last year’s figures and the Norte 4%

Foreigners outnumber locals: 53% of the total. In 2015 this was 50/50.

Guessing the final 2017 outcome of Santiago arrivals, and since September is a popular Camino month (generally exceeding the numbers of June), this year could close with 300’000 arrivals in Santiago.

 

[Kanga]

Good to see a percentage shift away from the Francés. I really don't know why the Norte is not more popular, it is a spectacular route and no more difficult, imo, than the Francés, and with plenty of infrastructure. Maybe the road walking.

 

[nycwalking]

Good to see a percentage shift away from the Francés. I really don't know why the Norte is not more popular, it is a spectacular route and no more difficult, imo, than the Francés, and with plenty of infrastructure. Maybe the road walking.

Does it? I always thought it was remote trek with a catch as catch can infrastructure. I will look into this route. Thanks.

 

[KinkyOne]

Don't know really why but I can sense that it will be the peak with next Holy Year and then the numbers will drop from year to year as they are rising now. Some percentage risings on other routes just showing how "too busy" Frances is right now but in few years time I don't believe this will be the picture. Can't really say that I "hope" for a decrease, more so I hope for increase on other routes, but I believe we almost reach the "ceiling" of it all.
Maybe not