Motivations of pilgrims on the Portuguese Inner Way to Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrims on the Portuguese Inner Way (PIWSC) to Santiago de Compostela exhibit diverse motivations, blending religious, tourist, and heritage interests. While religious devotion remains significant, many are drawn by a desire for an authentic pilgrimage experience, distinct from more commercialized routes. The study highlights a tension between preserving traditional pilgrimage values and accommodating modern tourism demands, particularly on less-traveled paths like the PIWSC, which traverses eight Portuguese municipalities. Research employed anthropological fieldwork, interviews, net-ethnography, and documentary analysis to uncover these motivations, revealing that national differences influence preferences for services and experiences. The findings underscore the need for targeted promotional strategies to address the unique needs of both Portuguese and foreign touripilgrims on this underrepresented route.

Gomes, C., Losada, N., & Pereiro, X. (2019). Motivations of pilgrims on the Portuguese Inner Way to Santiago de Compostela. Technological University Dublin. https://doi.org/10.21427/H30H-FF78