Round Table 2 - Planning, Coordination and Digitalization: English Way
According to the Master Plan of the Way of St. James in Galicia 2015-2021, 2017 is the year of the English Way. Thanks to the promotion of this route in recent years, it is the one that experienced the greatest growth from 2006 to 2016, with the number of pilgrims recorded by the Pilgrim Office increasing twelvefold.
Behind this increase in demand is the work carried out by different levels of the Administration. While the Xunta de Galicia has promoted restoration work and signposting in accordance with the new official delimitation, the Provincial Council of A Coruña implemented in 2015 the project Improvement Actions along the English Way, with a strong commitment to digitalization (creating a Geographic Information System and a system of QR codes). Moreover, 14 of the 18 municipalities making up the route have established the Association of English Way Municipalities and the localities at the beginning of the two itineraries, the cities of Ferrol and A Coruña, are strongly committed to promoting the Way.
In this context of undisputed support on the part of all the different public administrations, we will reflect on how to optimise cooperation among all players as regards planning, management and promotion. We will especially analyse the coordination between the two itineraries and which strategies should be promoted in the next few years. After the decision of the Santiago Cathedral’s Chapter to award the “Compostela” certificate to pilgrims completing the English Way from A Coruña, new questions arise, such as the possible maritime extension of the French Way.
On the other hand, the round table will analyse whether the rapid growth in registered pilgrims has resulted in an increase or upgrading of existing tourist activities and whether these are sufficient in order to absorb demand. The exchange of opinions and the joint analysis of alternatives will enable us to define strategic points for providing services.
