Round Table 3 - Investing in the Way: Portuguese Way

The opportunities generated by the Way, in terms of socioeconomic promotion, lead to an increase in related entrepreneurship and investment. According to the Pilgrim Office, the number of pilgrims that opted for the Portuguese Way or the Coastal Portuguese Way increased eightfold from 2006 to 2016.

This boom has led to the appearance of new business initiatives boosting rural economies and satisfying pilgrim needs that, up to now, were not contemplated (transport, courier service, activities, physical recuperation, etc.). In this context, we will analyse the determinants affecting entrepreneurs along the Way, considering the example of the Portuguese Way, which will celebrate its year in 2018 in accordance with the Master Plan of the Way of St. James in Galicia.

The round table will likewise evaluate the importance of public coordination in the case of routes with two itineraries, such as the Portuguese Way and the Coastal Portuguese Way, one of the tourist products that the Pontevedra Provincial Council has promoted the most in the last year. Special attention will be given to the challenges posed by this situation from the point of view of planning, signposting and promotion at the regional and provincial level.

Finally, reference will be made to cross-border cooperation between Galicia and Portugal, dealing with matters such as common signposting or the coordination and management of transport from Portugal, in the case of the Coastal Portuguese Way.

Moderator: Tono Mugico: Co-director de Fairway.

Co-moderator: Rosário Machado: Rota do Românico.

Attendees at the table:

• - Rafael Sánchez Bargiela: Director Gerente de la S.A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo.
• - Carlos Font: Portavoz de Gobierno de la Diputación de Pontevedra.
• - Hector Santos: Diputado de Turismo de la Diputación de Pontevedra.
• - Juan Manuel Rey: Alcalde Caldas de Rey.
• - José Sanmartín: Teniente Alcalde Barro.
• - Alberto Rey: Concello de Padrón (oficina turismo).
• - Belén Vallina: Gerente CB de Turismo de Vigo.
• - María José Guerreiro: Vereadora da Cultura, Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo.
• - José Manuel Barbosa: Hotel Santo Apóstolo (Redondela).
• - Ventura García: Presidente Asociación T. Rural - Agarimo.
• - Manuel Santos: Albergue Villa San Clemente (Tui).
• - Mª José Buceta Erbón: Albergue Camiño Sar (Padrón).
• - Daniel González Leiros: Director Camping de Mougás.
• - Manuel Mallo: APIT (Asociación Profesional de Guías de Galicia).
• - Celestino Lores: Asociación de Amigos del Camino Portugués.
• - Mar Rodríguez Meseguer: Directora-Gerente Tee Travel.
• - Alberto Pampín: Manager de Cycling de Camino.
• - José M. López Alonso: Gerente de Tuitrans.
• - José R. Martínez Barral: Representante de Correos.