THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO: TOURISTS AND PILGRIMS TO COMPOSTELA

The Saint James' Way has been one of the main pilgrimage ways of Christianity since the Middle Ages. It has experienced a great revitalization since the 1980's - particularly in holy years, beginning by 1993. Actually, the recovery of this route is part of the strategies for distinguishing this destination implemented from the Xunta de Galicia, the regional executive. Besides, there has been intense work done in the Compostelan local administration. The results are unquestionable as to the success reached, at least if measured by the arrival of visitors or the increase in accomodation offer. However, some facts cast a shadow over this bright perspective. The exhaustion of the formula used since 1993 - excessively based on promotion-, the inability to generate dynamism in the territories along the different routes or threats of overcrowding and deterioration of the way are the most quoted issues and the ones to be dealt with in the years to come.