News
Qualitative and quantitative success of the second edition of Fairway, Forum of the Way of St. James
The number of visitors, the exhibition area and the number of professional meetings grew; and the new proposed formats, such as the discussion tables, were shown as a success
The entities and institutions sponsoring the event highlight the suitability of this format
Santiago de Compostela, November 15, 2017. - The success of the second edition of Fairway, Forum of the Way of St. James, held from November 12 to 14 in the capital of Galicia is the "confirmation of the need for a meeting of these characteristics".
This is how the organizers and sponsors of this event are manifested which became a plural meeting for the different professionals, institutions and those interested in the routes to Santiago.
The Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions of Galicia, was visited by 4,000 attendees who attended a fair of 1,200 square meters of exhibition space, with additional spaces for activities and exhibitions, auditorium, presentations for media and meeting area. The fair grew by 20% compared to 2015.
More than 1,600 work meetings were held in a workshop that included 27 tour operators from 15 countries and which worked thanks to a meticulous agenda work. The expectation for this format caused many companies and entities could not participate in it.
All these figures suppose a remarkable growth with respect to those of the first edition in 2015, that counted on 50 display units in fair and 1,200 meetings in the workshop.
As news, in this second Fairway 60 professionals and institutional representatives took the voice in four intersectoral discussion tables on different routes to Santiago. A format that fostered joint reflection and the confrontation of interests and opinions, sometimes divergent.
Two familiarization trips were also prepared along the Portuguese Way and the English Way for tour operators and specialized press in which 40 people embarked.
In addition, there were six institutional presentations and resources reserved for media; and a calendar of activities for all audiences was scheduled on Sunday 12.
But beyond the figures, the opinions collected among exhibitors, congressmen, tour operators, attendees at work tables and, in general, professionals who have chosen to work at the Fairway Forum on the Way of St. James are those that confirm the great success of this edition.
Declarations of the organization
The co-director Manuel Oreiro wants to highlight "the great previous work and the perfect set-up that have made it possible to carry out an event with more than 1,600 work meetings with so many tour operators from outside". In his opinion, "with Fairway we allow the professional improvement of so many companies that work thanks to the Way, we offer a better service to visitors and pilgrims, and we respect the different motivations of those who choose to come to Compostela". In Fairway, the different voices around the Way, "sit, listen and coordinate".
On the other hand, Ana Trevisani focuses on the professional fair and aims the growth in "equipment for the hotel and hospitality sector, as well as the greater presence of institutionally represented territories, some of them come under the umbrella of their autonomous community or deputation and others thanks to the formula of the groupings of town halls ". Finally, he recalls that "it's time to start working on the third edition".
Satisfaction in Correos, Deputation of A Coruña and Santiago City Council
From the City Council of Santiago de Compostela, Councilor for Tourism and Economic Development Marta Lois says: "I think it is important to highlight the impact of the Fairway from the tourist point of view with more than 1500 contacts between tour operators. On the other hand, we were able to open a space for joint reflection on the sustainability of the Ways of St. James and efficient public management of them. Events like the Fairway, which are going through its second edition, deserve to weave a network of public and private support to consolidate it as one of the highlights of the off-season. "
For his part, the Mayor of Compostela Martiño Noriega says: "The Fairway has turned out to be a fair that marries very well with the very essence of Santiago, a polychromatic, diverse and plural city. It is, without doubt, an event that has come to stay and to make us reflect on the need to promote tourism policies that bet on quality versus quantity. Without forgetting the economic impact that events of this type leave in our city and that contribute to the whole social fabric ".
Fairway, II Forum of the Wayof St. James. An initiative from the private sector
Fairway, Forum of the Camino de Santiago, was born from the private initiative. It is promoted by the wholesale-retailer Viajes Viloria; the marketing agency Mr Turismo; and Trevisani, a company that organizes events, protocol and public relations, and communication.
It has the main sponsorship of Correos, the institutional collaboration of the Deputation of A Coruña and the support of Paradores, Cathedral of Santiago, Cluster of Tourism of Galicia and of different sponsoring entities and collaborators.
All information about this event is on the web portal www.fairwaysantiago.com