Rocío Cochón visits the expansion works of the ‘Nuestra Señora del Camino’ Hostel, in Casalvito, together with the director Carmen Fuentes and several guests, and highlights the economic and social potential of the Xacobean Variants with “quality, international, de-seasonalized and sustainable” tourism.

The Poio Town Council reaffirms its commitment to Xacobeo tourism as one of the cornerstones of its tourism strategy and, increasingly, as an engine of economic and social development in full growth. This was highlighted by the Councilor for Tourism, Rocío Cochón, during a visit to the ‘Nuestra Señora del Camino’ Hostel, in Casalvito, where she verified the expansion works of this establishment accompanied by its director, Carmen Fuentes, and spoke with some of the pilgrims staying there.

In addition to a very positive opinion, most of the pilgrims explained that they had decided to take one of the variants that cross Poio on the recommendation of other pilgrims, both at the origin and during the journey itself, noting that the Poio section has an excellent reputation within the community of people who make the Camino, which partly explains the exponential growth of this type of tourism.

Thus, Cochón highlighted that, according to data collected by the Mancomunidade do Salnés, Poio received 35,000 pilgrims last year, 23,900 on the Spiritual Variant and 11,700 on the Route of Father Sarmiento, figures that were “unthinkable a few years ago” and that speak to the immense economic and social potential around the Camino with “high-quality, international, de-seasonalized, and sustainable” tourism.

“The pilgrims are already part of the landscape of Poio and leave a great mark. They eat, sleep and shop in our municipality, and they do so throughout the year, not in high season,” he stressed. In fact, the central months of summer have less influx of walkers, so they are ideal dates to make improvements.

A PIONEERING HOSTEL, AN EXAMPLE OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AROUND THE CAMINO

The Head of Tourism gave as an example the hostel founded and directed by Carmen Fuentes, a pioneer in the municipality. Opened in 2021, during the COVID pandemic, it was the first establishment to provide this service to pilgrims and is currently undertaking an improvement and expansion of rooms and common areas.

So far this year, it has welcomed more than 1,200 pilgrims to this “home away from home” at the foot of the Camino, in Casalvito, and is an example of female entrepreneurship and taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the Xacobean variants. In addition, it “paved the way”, since at least one new privately owned hostel will be up and running in the coming months.

POIO, THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, VISIT AND INVEST

Cochón highlighted the support provided by the local government to entrepreneurs who decide to create wealth and employment around the Camino, in addition to guaranteeing the best experience for pilgrims passing through Poio.

“Although Poio is not currently one of the ‘stops’ on the Variants, more and more walkers are choosing to stay and enjoy all that we have to offer,” explained Cochón, also recalling that after discovering the municipality by doing the Camino, many pilgrims return as conventional visitors to spend a few days with family and friends.

In this sense, she highlighted the various initiatives promoted by the Town Council to reinforce the attractiveness of the municipality as a Xacobean destination, such as the upcoming launch of the Pilgrim Assistance Point, which will be operational before the end of the year, the improvement of the signage of the routes or the ‘No Bo Camiño’ Campaign.

“We continue working to support entrepreneurs, welcome visitors and make Poio the best place to live, visit and invest,” she concluded.