Due to mass tourism, there were also problems at the world’s most famous pilgrimage site

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 07. 26. 11:40

Santiago de Compostela, the end point of the Way of St. James, welcomes even more pilgrims this year than last year’s record year. However, the residents of the Spanish city are asking visitors to behave in a more civilized manner due to the ever-increasing crowd.

A record number of pilgrims are arriving

On average, 1,500 pilgrims arrive in Santiago de Compostela every day on foot, by bicycle, by boat or by bus. The inhabitants of the city are happy to share their settlement with visitors, but they expect respect from them. Roberto Almuina, the president of the association bringing together the residents of the old town, emphasized that respectful behavior is their only expectation from the pilgrims.

Increase in the number of visitors

Based on this year’s arrival data, it is likely that the number of visitors will exceed last year’s record of nearly 450,000. The pilgrimage office registered almost 250,000 pilgrims by mid-July, which is 15 percent more than in the same period last year. The population of Santiago de Compostela is only 96,000 people, so the crowd in the city is getting bigger and bigger.