Percentage of Return Pilgrims?

[Robo]

Just curious.
I'm sure we ran a poll somewhere.

But I wonder in any given year, what the % of return Pilgrims might be?
A large proportion of us here seem to 'repeat offenders' but we are only a small sample.

Are there any stats anywhere?

 

[trecile]

When I walked this year I met mostly first timers and less than five repeat pilgrims while I was on the Francés. While I was on the Aragonés and Invierno the percentage of repeat pilgrims was a lot higher, but not 100%.

 

[Robo]

When I walked this year I met mostly first timers and less than five repeat pilgrims while I was on the Francés. While I was on the Aragonés and Invierno the percentage of repeat pilgrims was a lot higher, but not 100%.

Yes, same here. 1 or 2 newbies only on the VdlP and Invierno.
But quite a few on the CF.

Just wonder to what extent 'we' contribute to the 'busy' feel of the popular routes?

 

[Flog]

A very high proportion of the pilgrims we speak to at the Pilgrims Office are first timers.. But then, many repeat pilgrims don't bother to collect a compostela.

 

[davejsy]

I would hazard a guess that on my CF it was about 70% newbies of those I met. But that is only a snapshot of the people I met and spoke to.

 

[Anhalter]

Since it is nowhere registered (Pilgrim office/credential) if it's a first or repeat Camino i guess we can only take clues from what we experience on the road and what our gut tells us.
I would assume that first timers are a higher percentage on the popular routes, CF, CP, CdN and Primitivo. Go to something like the Salvador, Llana or VdlP, i would not be surprise that a significant percentage of pilgrims would not be on their first.

 

[woody66]

A very high proportion of the pilgrims we speak to at the Pilgrims Office are first timers.. But then, many repeat pilgrims don't bother to collect a compostela.

Yep i said one was enough didn't need more!

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

A very high proportion of the pilgrims we speak to at the Pilgrims Office are first timers.. But then, many repeat pilgrims don't bother to collect a compostela.

There are "first-timers" who don't bother either.

 

[CTLawGal]

There are "first-timers" who don't bother either.

I was one of those! Arriving in Santiago I was overwhelmed with emotion, but didn't even consider stopping to get mine even though I had dutifully obtained all my stamps; but I continued walking on to Finisterre and Muxia, and by the time I returned to Santiago I had decided that if there wasn't a line, I would get mine. I stopped by the Pilgrim's Office around 4 pm, no line! I got my compostela and started to weep. I've framed everything and am glad I did.

But back to the topic, walking on the Norte and Primitivo, I would say more than 50% of those I spoke with had already walked at least one other Camino, many had walked several.

 

[t2andreo]

Perhaps the Pilgrim Office might add ONE question that could answer several questions we have.

To wit: “This is my X Camino.”

The value of “X” will identify first timers. It will also provide:
- The number and proportion of repeat pilgrims, and
- The frequency distribution, to allow us to separate out the onesies and twosies, as well as those suffering from “Chronic Camino Syndrome.”

It could easily be added to the advance, online collection of pilgrim data. I understand that the online, advance registration method is capturing over 90% of arriving pilgrims.

Hope this helps the dialog.

Tom

 

[David Tallan]

There are "first-timers" who don't bother either.

I didn't bother on my first Camino, but have collected on all subsequent Caminos that I completed. The reverse.

 

[naplesdon]

I framed 4 of my Compostelas, collected another 4 and did bother to collect 3. I would much rather save and share my passports, I have framed 4 of those and have another 8 sitting on my desk. Regarding meeting repeat offenders, I would reckon that quite a few less than 10% of the people I have met on the Camino are there for a second, third or nth time.

 

[Barbara06]

Do you make the difference between the repeater who repeats many times the same camino or the repeater who does a different camino each time ? I think the syndrome is different.
I understand the 1st type because it's like a new journey, discovery each time but I have difficulty understanding the 2nd type which seems to me more pathological

 

[CTLawGal]

Do you make the difference between the repeater who repeats many times the same camino or the repeater who does a different camino each time ? I think the syndrome is different.
I understand the 1st type because it's like a new journey, discovery each time but I have difficulty understanding the 2nd type which seems to me more pathological

Did you mean the 2nd type who does a different one is more like a new journey? And the first type who repeats same one is more pathological? Either way I wouldn’t call it pathological - I can very much understand wanting to repeat same one and could see many reasons for it (and doing a new one doesn’t seem pathological at all). In any event the use of the word pathological seems unduly harsh (and judgmental) to me.

 

[el-pe]

Generalizing, there seems to be more new pilgrims on the CF and within 100km of Santiago. That said, on my most recent caminos, there were some first timers on more remote routes.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Just curious.
I'm sure we ran a poll somewhere.

But I wonder in any given year, what the % of return Pilgrims might be?
A large proportion of us here seem to 'repeat offenders' but we are only a small sample.

Are there any stats anywhere?

I think there should be distinctions within these categories. First time Ever. First time on a specific route. Return Pilgrims walking same route but in sections (for instance, SJPP to Burgos, return later to continue to León, etc.) are they first time or return Pilgrims for this question? Like @trecile i walked the Aragonés+ (first time on that route) but joined the CF in Puente la Reina (third time on the CF). On the Aragonés, other than my walking partner and me, only first time on any route Pilgrims. Once we joined the CF, we met all the variations described above.

Sorry to ramble but to get a better answer to the question may require additional delineation. It is, to me, an interesting question.

 

[BobY333]

Very interesting indeed. The vast, vast majority of those I’ve met have been first timers. We’re having a hard time recalling anyone that had walked before, though I’m sure we must have! Even the Salvador (2x) was just first timers - including a few that wanted to “escape” the crowds on the CF.

Ah, there was one group of five or six on the Primitivo that came from around Europe and walked together every few years after having met on the CF about 10 years prior. They were an awesome, fun bunch!

Oh to have that first timers sense of nerves and awe leaving SJPdP again!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Although the majority of first time walkers start with the Camino Frances, I think some of the other routes have been appealing to them in recent years as online information has grown in the past ten+ years, providing new pilgrims with more details and the ability to plan a less busy, less traveled route with confidence.

 

[Robo]

Perhaps the Pilgrim Office might add ONE question that could answer several questions we have.

To wit: “This is my X Camino.”

The value of “X” will identify first timers. It will also provide:
- The number and proportion of repeat pilgrims, and
- The frequency distribution, to allow us to separate out the onesies and twosies, as well as those suffering from “Chronic Camino Syndrome.”

It could easily be added to the advance, online collection of pilgrim data. I understand that the online, advance registration method is capturing over 90% of arriving pilgrims.

Hope this helps the dialog.

Tom

Nice idea.
I would have thought that information would be quite useful to know, for those providing services to Pilgrims.

 

[Robo]

Although the majority of first time walkers start with the Camino Frances, I think some of the other routes have been appealing to them in recent years as online information has grown in the past ten+ years, providing new pilgrims with more details and the ability to plan a less busy, less traveled route with confidence.

Indeed, I met a first timer on the VdlP.
Though sadly I think they quit injured after about a week.
Started too fast trying to keep up with others.

My curiosity was very simple.

Having walked a Camino, of any route. (a Camino being 100kms+ ending in Santiago)
How many walk a Camino again?

Conversely, what proportion enjoy it as a one-off experience?

 

[naplesdon]

Did you mean the 2nd type who does a different one is more like a new journey? And the first type who repeats same one is more pathological? Either way I wouldn’t call it pathological - I can very much understand wanting to repeat same one and could see many reasons for it (and doing a new one doesn’t seem pathological at all). In any event the use of the word pathological seems unduly harsh (and judgmental) to me.

Perhaps she should have punctuated thus: "path" ological?

 

[David Tallan]

Although the majority of first time walkers start with the Camino Frances, I think some of the other routes have been appealing to them in recent years as online information has grown in the past ten+ years, providing new pilgrims with more details and the ability to plan a less busy, less traveled route with confidence.

I wonder if there is a difference between Spanish and non-Spanish in choosing a less-walked routes as a first route. When I walked the Madrid last year, both of the pilgrims I really got to know were first-timers. They were also Madrileños walking from home.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I wonder if there is a difference between Spanish and non-Spanish in choosing a less-walked routes as a first route. When I walked the Madrid last year, both of the pilgrims I really got to know were first-timers. They were also Madrileños walking from home.

Yes, I think speaking Spanish definitely is a big help in being willing to choose a less traveled route for newcomers, and gives an enhanced experience for sure. I have walked at least three somewhat lesser traveled caminos in Spain, but for instance I can not consider the Torres, or the depth of the patchwork Caminos and deviations of what @AlanSykes is now doing, although I enjoy reading those adventures. I am definitely limited, but that's ok. I embrace what I can with the obstacles that are in my way, whether self imposed or not.

 

[JesperK]

A very high proportion of the pilgrims we speak to at the Pilgrims Office are first timers.. But then, many repeat pilgrims don't bother to collect a compostela.

You are right about that. I have 3 compostelas but have walked 9 times.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

In any event the use of the word pathological seems unduly harsh (and judgmental) to me.

I laughed out loud when I read @Barbara06 's post. But she's French and I suspect it has a slightly less insulting connotation in French...
I hope.

 

[Lindsay53]

Perhaps the Pilgrim Office might add ONE question that could answer several questions we have.

To wit: “This is my X Camino.”

The value of “X” will identify first timers. It will also provide:
- The number and proportion of repeat pilgrims, and
- The frequency distribution, to allow us to separate out the onesies and twosies, as well as those suffering from “Chronic Camino Syndrome.”

It could easily be added to the advance, online collection of pilgrim data. I understand that the online, advance registration method is capturing over 90% of arriving pilgrims.

Hope this helps the dialog.

Tom

This time in the Pilgrim Office the lady asked me how many Caminos I had walked. I don't recall being asked that before, so either she was just being chatty or they are collecting these statistics?

 

[Flog]

This time in the Pilgrim Office the lady asked me how many Caminos I had walked. I don't recall being asked that before, so either she was just being chatty or they are collecting these statistics?

Yes, I'm quite certain she was just showing an interest and being chatty. They aren't collecting these statistics.

 

[Barbara06]

Did you mean the 2nd type who does a different one is more like a new journey? And the first type who repeats same one is more pathological? Either way I wouldn’t call it pathological - I can very much understand wanting to repeat same one and could see many reasons for it (and doing a new one doesn’t seem pathological at all). In any event the use of the word pathological seems unduly harsh (and judgmental) to me.

Hello, yes, i mixed up 2nd type and 1st type in my sentence.
Sorry, i didn't mean at all to be judgmental

 

[Barbara06]

I laughed out loud when I read @Barbara06 's post. But she's French and I suspect it has a slightly less insulting connotation in French...
I hope.

Yes, sorry, you are right, this wasn't meant to be insulting at all

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I wonder if there is a difference between Spanish and non-Spanish in choosing a less-walked routes as a first route. When I walked the Madrid last year, both of the pilgrims I really got to know were first-timers. They were also Madrileños walking from home.

I would agree with that. I met three pilgrims on the Madrid, and two of them were Spanish from Madrid, and one of them was a German who could speak Spanish. I can barely speak Spanish, but it helped me improve, having no other option but to communicate in Spanish.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Yes, sorry, you are right, this wasn't meant to be insulting at all

Yes, in Americasn English If you call someone pathological, it's either a medical diagnosis or an insult. I understood what you meant, it was funny.

 

[t2andreo]

This time in the Pilgrim Office the lady asked me how many Caminos I had walked. I don't recall being asked that before, so either she was just being chatty or they are collecting these statistics?

I don't know. Flog's answer is correct, insofar as I know.

IMHO, and based on my experience at the Pilgrim Office, when it appears as a question in the online, advance information collection, it will be part of the process and statistical collection system.

Until then, it was likely a staff person or volunteer being polite and chatty.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

On the Ingles this summer it was almost all first first timers; besides me, I met only one couple who had done other routes. No one I met was repeating the Ingles.