Location

1A - Motivation and Experience

Start Date

29-6-2017 9:30 AM

End Date

29-6-2017 11:00 AM

Description

Given the importance and rise of religious tourism, this study aims to identify pilgrims’ motivations to undertake the Camiño de Santiago and examine differences regarding socio demographics and other characteristics. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from pilgrims that had travelled the Camiño de Santiago at least once. A total of 1,140 valid responses were collected from 45 different nationalities. The results indicate that pilgrims are mostly motivated by spiritual aspects, by wanting new experiences, for the outdoor experience and for cultural reasons. Religious motivations and fulfilling promises are the factors with the lowest averages, demonstrating that modern pilgrims take the journey for other reasons rather than the traditional ones. The findings of this study offer a better understanding of modern pilgrims, providing useful insights to several stakeholders.

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Jun 29th, 9:30 AM Jun 29th, 11:00 AM

Motivations for Pilgrimage: Why pilgrims travel El Camiño de Santiago

1A - Motivation and Experience

Given the importance and rise of religious tourism, this study aims to identify pilgrims’ motivations to undertake the Camiño de Santiago and examine differences regarding socio demographics and other characteristics. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from pilgrims that had travelled the Camiño de Santiago at least once. A total of 1,140 valid responses were collected from 45 different nationalities. The results indicate that pilgrims are mostly motivated by spiritual aspects, by wanting new experiences, for the outdoor experience and for cultural reasons. Religious motivations and fulfilling promises are the factors with the lowest averages, demonstrating that modern pilgrims take the journey for other reasons rather than the traditional ones. The findings of this study offer a better understanding of modern pilgrims, providing useful insights to several stakeholders.