Pilgrim numbers for the year - less Spanish pilgrims?

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

Signs of the Times

I've run an analysis of the statistics on arriving pilgrims for the year so far. Some interesting trends may be emerging.

After August the busiest month the increase in pilgrims from English speaking countries remains significant but not quite as high as last month.

Also it seems that overall pilgrim numbers are increasing at a lower rate than previous years and the number of Spanish pilgrims appears to be decreasing.

Early days to reach meaningful conclusions but the pundits are already speculating this is due to the economic crisis in Spain.

What do you think? See the full analysis here:

http://www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com

Happy reading!

John

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, John,
Very interresting, especially the part about the decrease in the relative increase of English speaking pilgrims. Maybe a higher percentage of English-speaking walkers try to avoid the crush and the oppressive heat of August. Thanks for compiling all of this information for us.

In the last two years, I've met at least 7 or 8 unemployed Spaniards walking the Camino. They say that since they can live as cheaply (or almost as cheaply) on the Camino as at home, the opportunity to take a big break and try to reassess is a real attraction. This past summer, I met a madrileno who had been an architectural draftsman for more than 25 years till he was summarily booted in April. By the end of his Camino, he had decided that he was going to try to become a goat cheese maker back in his Gredos pueblo. Ojala.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[sillydoll]

Interesting stats Johnnie.
I think most South Africans try to avoid the crowds in August and the majority walk in May/June and September/October.

 

[Vincentayd]

Hola Johnnie,
It will be interesting to see if the numbers for pilgrims from the US pick up during the months of September and October. My sister will be an October stat. Thanks for keeping the numbers.
Vincent

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Hi John,

Thanks for once again posting these statistic. I love them

Somehow it is 'strange' that all those weeks of walking in sun or rain, meeting with people from all over the world, enjoying meals together, washing and hanging out clothes, shopping for little essentials, unpacking and packing rucksacks, putting sunscreen behind ones knees first thing in the morning, dealing with a blister, being awed by amazing architecture, looking back in early morning to see the sun rise, the feeling of accomplishment or relief when one first sees the spire of the church of the village you plan to stay in that night, all that and so much more to be recorded by being just one more statistic.

It has been such a blessing to have been one of those 'statistics'. Please God I will be again.

Lydia

 

[Ribeirasacra]

Some interesting data.
Something your statistics do not pick up on is the amount spent doing a Camino has also dropped. This is totally unscientific!
We purchase some goods from a wholesaler. This wholesaler also supplies bars, restaurants and accommodations businesses along the Camino. All of the bars and restaurants have noticed that pilgrims no longer take a bite to eat or a coffee along the way. It seems that trends have changed and now pilgrims are more likely to purchase water and bread to eat picnic style. Obviously I do not have any data on this, but it is and interesting observation, perhaps this will decline as winter sets in.