Green Pilgrimage project

We are working with six European partners to build on the success of pilgrimage tourism across Europe.

Ancient pilgrim routes such as The Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain have been reporting a 10% increase in numbers every year - particularly among non-religious visitors - from 90,000 visitors in 2005 to over 260,000 in 2015. 

We want to learn from this success and, as part of the Green Pilgrimage project approved by Interreg Europe, we aim to:

• Compile evidence to show pilgrimages bring economic benefits to local businesses, while leaving a low environmental footprint
• Protect our natural and cultural heritage through investment, partnership working and policy prioritisation.

In particular we hope to develop a walking route to the shrines in Walsingham, which receives over 300,000 visitors every year.

Visit the Interreg Europe site for more information on the wider project and its partners.

Contact us