Santiago de Compostela Declaration on Tourism and Pilgrimages

This document consists of a statement by the participants in the First International Congress on Tourism and Pilgrimages held in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) on 17–20 September 2014. Among other things, it underlines the need to highlight the valuable contribution of pilgrimages and sustainable tourism to the universal respect for the spiritual values of humanity; to respect the millenary ethical values and traditions of local faith groups and indigenous communities, which contribute to maintaining the sustainability, integrity and balance of pilgrimage routes and of cultural heritage and sacred sites; and to encourage new initiatives and promote the exchange of experiences involving religious groups and local communities in the sustainable development of spiritual tourism.