this year Fairway celebrates twice: It reaches its sixth edition and at the same time is ten years old. He will celebrate in style in the Galician capital. The biennial exhibition is entirely dedicated to the Camino de Santiago – the only one in the world – … It celebrates a decade of working – and uniting – as a driving force for meetings between companies and institutions associated with the Jacobite environment. The fair began on Sunday, with an open day focused on entertainment, and will continue until its third and final day, Tuesday – where, like this Monday, the protagonists will be the job fair and information sessions – and the Cidade da Cultura will, as usual, be its centre.
One of its co-directors, Tono Mugica, features in a conversation with ABC Growing international expectations Which Fairway gained through liberalization with a larger Portuguese presence and tour operators from more countries. Today the Camino is experiencing a clear process of internationalization: the United States is the main country of origin for foreign pilgrims, and the distribution is now 60-40 or 70-30 between international and national tourists. This is why fairway is important The only professional meeting in the world focused on the Camino de Santiago.
as, Its main function is networking: Bringing together companies, shelters, associations, municipalities and institutions that work around the Camino. But instead of aiming to be shaped like a huge event, it chose to become a niche, public forum Aim for a “niche” in the fabric of the business Focus on “Tourism and the Camino”. Because reducing the balance allows us to invest efforts in other issues; For example, a strong point that has also become familiar is that Galician tour operators come as guests, strategic contacts when it comes to dispelling doubts and establishing relationships with companies providing tourism services.
So Fairway has a professional element with workshops, business meetings and discussion tables attended by entrepreneurs or future business people interested in investing in accommodation, camping or providing services to pilgrims. This is what the focus is on Tourism and Roads Forum, which is celebrated Monday and Tuesday at the Gaias Museum. But it also seeks to open up to citizens: “We want to make the Camino de Santiago closer to the cities of Santiago and Galicia,” explains its co-director, which is why it was designed. An entertainment program for the general public who presided over the opening day on Sunday. It included food tasting and children’s workshops, a route through the city, an “escape room” and a musical performance by Xavier Díaz in the form of a trio, among other activities.
For the rest of the topic, it is tagged with current events. This year, the pivots are Camino Sustainability, Impact and Tourism Management Growing and open debate about Tourist tax – Specifically, with regard to the manner in which the proceeds will be invested in the cities that apply it -; In this regard, Mugica points out the lack of clarity in the official document, which is considered “unclear and unclear” on this point – it stipulates that funds be allocated to new strategies or to finance services derived from tourism.
The co-director recalls that, both now and in the past, we continue to strive to absorb relevant topics, no matter how uncomfortable they may be: bedbug infestations in shelters in 2023, real cases of accidents and rescues on the Camino, security problems or risks discovered… This time, “the shadow that looms over Santiago,” recalls the co-director. The magnitude of tourism and its effects In the daily life of the city, you will play a starring role in more than one debate. Whatever the topic, Mojica sums up, “it’s about” being able to talk about problems “directly,” “respectfully,” “rigorously,” and with conviction.
As I said before, Fairway It’s not meant to be bulky, but it’s effective: Its director adds: “Its true value lies in the field it addresses.” The fair generates economic dynamism during its celebration: in the workshop of the previous edition, the turnover was estimated at more than 2 million euros, and this year they hope to reach around 3 million thanks to the increase in tour operators – this time, from 18 countries.
Forum starts
This Monday the official opening of the Forum will take place, which will be made official by the Director of the Tourism Agency, José Meirelles, with his presentation “In Search of Excellence in Sustainability”. There will also be a discussion table entitled “Tourism: Visitors or Invaders?” In the afternoon, a workshop will focus on data management to “optimize resources and improve the tourism experience.” On Tuesday there will be tables “La Compostela and the Camino of the 21st Century: Democratizing the Camino to Everyone’s Satisfaction?” “Tourism Tax: Where Does the Money Go?” and the “Applying Chat GPT to Tourism Business Management” workshop. Entrance to the venue is free, but program activities have a limited number of spaces and are subject to online registration.
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