Some pilgrimage observations

An overview of recent pilgrimage events and news from around the world.

Europe, the Via Francigena
Europe, the camino, an introduction
Asia, the Mount Kailash pilgrimage
Asia, from film induced tourism to anime tourism
America, the Pacific Crest Trail (book)
Europe, Norway's new soul-soothing, time-travelling pilgrimage
Europe, the camino in Slovakia
Europe, pilgrimage as slow travel in Italy's Emilia-Romagna
Asia, pilgrimage sites in Nepal

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Aleteia: This ancient pilgrimage road crosses Europe from north to south

"Before the discovery of the tomb of Santiago El Mayor in Compostela, Rome was the European city with the only Western-known burial spot of one of the twelve apostles.", includes slideshow.

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The Hindu: A 24-day gruelling trek to Mount Kailash in Tibet

"Every year, faith inspires thousands of Indians to undertake the gruelling trek to Mount Kailash in Tibet.", includes slide show.

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The Japan Times: Japan's anime tourism: A lucrative blend of cash and chaos 

"Japan has become a magnet for young tourists from Asia on “pilgrimage” tours to the most famous scenes in Japanese anime."

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Newsweek: The great alone, walking the Pacific Crest Trail

Why did I walk 4265 kilometers grom Mexico to Canada? Introduction to the book of Tim Voors.

(Book available in Dutch: Alleen)

More on the book on site of Gestalten.

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The Telegraph: The ultimate antithesis to modern life? Norway's new soul-soothing, time-travelling pilgrimage

"Leaning on a gnarled wooden staff like a clean-cut version of Gandalf, pilgrim priest Einar was waiting for me outside the world’s most northerly medieval cathedral. “Welcome to Trondheim and well done for finishing St Olav Ways,” he said, warmly shaking my hand."

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Traveler: Pilgrimage of a lifetime: How and why you should walk Spain's famous Camino de Santiago 

An introduction to the camino pilgrimage, where to go, what's it like... "But the Way is no longer about war, fanaticism or religious ascendancy. Today's pilgrims walk arguably in what was always the true spirit of pilgrimage – for acceptance, forgiveness and redemption. And in the case of my friends, utter generosity."

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The Slovak Spectator: Slovakia completes last part of ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela 

"The Way of St James in Slovakia. The route is 603 km long and is divided into five stretches."

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Forbes: Walk On Pilgrimage Paths Through Emilia-Romagna To Celebrate Italy's Year Of Slow Travel 

Slow travel in Emilia-Romagna where ten ancient pilgrimage routes cross through the region.

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Nepali Sansar: Nepal’s Top Pilgrimage Sites – The Abode of Spirituality

Have a look at some of the best Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites..

Tourists and Pilgrims: go home

Tourism is a for a long time contested concept:

Being imperial, unfair, rich-poor enhancing, hedonistic, naturedestroyer, culturedestroyer ....
And specific for pilgrimage routes like the Camino de Santiago the number of pilgrims are rising, new records crushed the next year.
Sure,  this increase is intentional, policy of national and regional government and of commercial corporations. A development that started some 40 years ago.

I looked around to provide you with additional and latest popular developments.
Looked at the pilgrimage route
Looked at some general touristic concerns.

Sometimes there just are too many tourists, too many pilgrims.
So, this blogitem provides an overview of the latest trend in tourism and pilgrimage alike: overcrowding.
And it hints alternative / sustainable tourism.

(China’s Qingdao Huiquan Beach during the height of peak season)

On the pilgrimage route

(photo: dpa Picture-Alliance / Florian Schuh / picture alliance / dpa Themendie)

The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route saw it's routes becoming more and more crowded. 2017 probably again a record year. Experienced pilgrims use the usual comments: Try other routes or seasons, keep away from  the usual staged etappe endings, overcrowded camino was already an issue 30 years ago, it's nice, cosy and socially, it's not that bad. However: complaints are growing, even on the 'less walked' route like the Camino Ingles.
Like a pilgrim from Colorado just (august 2017, walked in july) reported on Tripadvisor: "Way to many people".Some people don't mind, I do and try to keep away from overcrowded routes.

Four recent articles in French and German newspapers/sites cover the overcrowding.
( use google translate ;-)

Wir sind dann mal weg

Zu viele Jakobspilger: In Spanien wird gegen Urlauber protestiert

( Mass-tourism, we're off then. After Kerkeling's camino book Ich bin dann mal weg. Subtitle of the article: Too many pilgrims: Spain protesting against tourism)
Suddeutsche Zeitung

Pilgerstau am Jacobsweg

Far away from the peaceful tranquility, long human karavans on the way to the pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compostela are driving up prices and hunt away the locals
Die Presse

"Ce n’est pas de la tourismophobie, c’est de l’anticapitalisme" : en Espagne, des activistes torpillent le tourisme de masse

(This isn't tourismphobia, it's anticapitalism. In Spain activists torpede mass-tourism)
Francetvinfo

(Un graffiti "Touristes, rentrez chez vous" dans le centre-ville d'Oviedo (province des Asturies, nord de l'Espagne), le 7 août 2017. (ELOY ALONSO / AFP))

Große Zahl der Pilger sorgt für Ärger entlang des Jakobswegs
Large amount of pilgrims causes trouble along the Way of St James.
Hamburger Abentblatt (this article is published in many other magazins)

Tourisme generic

I'l start with a few headlines..

Is Mount Everest an overcrowded tourist trap?

Machu Picchu to introduce timed ticketing to deal with overcrowding

20 overcrowded sights that should follow the Cinque Terre's example

Over-tourism in Amsterdam

You can click on them to go to the responding article

Protests are growing

Anti-tourism protests spread across Europe

Barcelona residents protest unchecked growth of mass tourism

Venice residents protest against tourist influx

Protest against "tourist colonialism" in Palma

You can click on them to go to the responding article

And to closeoff

European tourism prompts locals to declare 'enough is enough' as visitor numbers grow in ABCnet.

"There is a growing backlash over tourism in Europe as the favourite hotspots suffer from chronic overcrowding and locals face rising prices for basic needs such as rent."

European tourism prompts locals to declare 'enough is enough' as visitor numbers grow

(Twitter Corse Tourism)

Just a few thoughts..

The growth paradox: can tourism ever be sustainable?

World Economic forum (aug 2017)

Picture Comparison Mass / Alternative Tourism

(Nompumelelo Mathebula, Univ of Johannesburg)

Picture Types of Tourism

(Cecilia Ryan, Understanding tourism impacts & types of alternative tourism)