The following is a rough indication of the increase in numbers arriving at Santiago from all the pilgrim routes and collecting their Compostella in a Holy Year, compared with the year before.
1998 30,126 1999 (Holy Year) 154,613
2003 74,614 2004 (Holy Year) 179,944
2009 118,000 (est) 2010 (Holy Year) 250,000 (Spanish Gov est)
As you can see, in previous Holy Years (when 25th July is a Sunday) the numbers arriving at Santiago increased by some 100,000 pilgrims.
I should imagine that in Santiago on 25th July 2010 it will be standing room only!!
Have fun
should we be worried that we won’t find places to stay this year…we will travel June and July…plan to arrive on the 25th (the big day) or slightly earlier…feeling concerned…we can stay in hotels if refugios are too full…but want to try our best to stay in refugios the majority of time..we want the pilgrim experience! Mom and daughter…