Promoting the Development of Local Communities Through “Touripilgrimage”

Abstract

This chapter offers a “touripilgrimage” that takes place on the Portuguese Way of the Interior of Santiago de Compostela–PIWSC and how such a phenomenon can add new and different experiences to the “turipilgrims” while helping to promote the development of the local communities inserted along the way. In accordance, firstly, there is the discussion of a theoretical framework associated to the role of local identity in the sustainable development of tourism. Additionally, there is debate about the transformations in the act of pilgrimage. Secondly, it follows a case study approach based on the PIWSC. The results of this exploratory analysis highlight elements that enhance the possibilities of increasing exchanges between locals and visitors in order to insert the visitor into the local context and the community to develop through the convergence of its endogenous attributes. The dialogue between the different local actors is essential to establish guiding strategies that will compose the dynamics of the communities.