Clúster

• The event was held within the framework of the European project CLUSTERTUR.

The Camino de Santiago has been the central theme of the international cross-border congress “O Caminho que nos une”, held in the Portuguese town of Barcelos and organized by Turismo do Porto and Norte de Portugal in collaboration with Turismo de Galicia and the European Cooperation Association Territorial Galicia North of Portugal. The event, framed in the European project CLUSTERTUR, brought together experts and representatives of the tourism sector of Galicia and Northern Portugal, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between both regions in the promotion and sustainable management of their cultural and tourist resources.

The president of the Galician Tourism Cluster, Cesáreo Pardal, attended this event highlighting the importance of working as a network to consolidate the Camino de Santiago as a benchmark for sustainability. During the congress, key topics were addressed such as the efficient management of the Jacobean routes, the implementation of innovative strategies for their international promotion, and the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage that surrounds these historic routes.

One of the most relevant points discussed was the growing interest of other countries and regions of the world in adopting the management model developed around the Camino de Santiago. Delegations from Korea, Argentina, Japan, Mexico and Jordan, among others, have shown their interest in learning from this experience to apply it to their own cultural or religious itineraries.

The event also highlighted the importance of a joint strategy for internationalization, which will increase the attractiveness of the Camino in global markets and strengthen its environmental, social and economic sustainability. This cross-border collaboration reinforces the value of the Camino de Santiago as a universal heritage and a key driver for tourism in both regions.