Spain and Portugal Roll Out Strategic Over Two Million Euro Camino Vertical Project to Reawaken Historic Pilgrimage Paths and Drive Regional Tourism Growth – Travel And Tour World

Spain and Portugal Roll Out Strategic Over Two Million Euro Camino Vertical Project to Reawaken Historic Pilgrimage Paths and Drive Regional Tourism Growth – Travel And Tour World

Friday, July 4, 2025

Spain
Portugal
over two million

Spain and Portugal have collaboratively launched the strategic Camino Vertical initiative with the help of over two million euros’ worth of financing to restore and enhance the less-popular southern and western routes of the centuries-old Camino de Santiago. This combined transboundary project aims at preserving joint cultural heritage while reinforcing local tourism by enhancing tourists’ experience, infrastructure facilities, and digital advertising campaigns. Through the revival of these sacred routes of pilgrimage, the project not only contributes to sustainable rural developments but also secures the cultural and economic linkages between the two Iberian nations.

The Camino Vertical project marks a pivotal chapter in the evolution of cross-border cultural cooperation between Spain and Portugal. Officially designated as an Operation of Strategic Importance, the initiative reflects a powerful alliance between the two Iberian nations in their shared effort to preserve, restore, and promote the southern and western pilgrimage routes of the legendary Camino de Santiago.

The project is being funded under the Interreg Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) programme, with a substantial budget of €2,613,595.84, of which €1,960,196.88 is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Camino Vertical represents not only a heritage-focused initiative but also an integrated approach to regional development, tourism innovation, and cultural sustainability.

A Cross-Border Vision Rooted in Shared Heritage

At its core, the Camino Vertical project is built on the recognition of shared cultural roots and historical ties that link the two nations. By strengthening these bonds through the restoration of ancient Jacobean routes, Spain and Portugal aim to deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to the communities nestled along the historic pilgrimage trails.

The Camino de Santiago, globally recognized as the Way of St. James, comprises a celebrated series of pilgrimage trails culminating in Santiago de Compostela, a historic city nestled in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain. Historically, these routes have attracted pilgrims from across Europe seeking spiritual fulfillment at the shrine of the apostle Saint James. Today, the Camino also thrives as a major tourism phenomenon, drawing more than half a million pilgrims and tourists annually.

While the more famous northern routes have been popular for decades, the Camino Vertical initiative aims to draw attention to the lesser-known southern and western trails. These include important routes that traverse central and southern Spain and continue into western Portugal—regions that are rich in cultural heritage but often underrepresented in mainstream tourism narratives.

Three Strategic Objectives of Camino Vertical

The Camino Vertical project is structured around three primary strategic pillars, each designed to address a specific aspect of regional development and tourism modernization:

1. Restoration and Valorization of Ancient Routes

The initiative places significant emphasis on the physical recovery and valorization of ancient Jacobean paths, many of which have faded from public memory or fallen into disuse. These include traditional pilgrimage trails that meander through historical towns, rural landscapes, and protected natural areas on both sides of the border.

Restoration efforts will include the refurbishment of signposting systems, improved wayfinding, upgraded rest areas, and increased accessibility. In doing so, the project ensures that the routes are not only safe and functional but also steeped in authenticity, preserving the original spirit of pilgrimage for future generations.

2. Enhancing the Tourism Experience and Cultural Interpretation

Camino Vertical aims to significantly elevate the tourism offering by integrating interpretation centers, digital storytelling, and thematic tours along the route. These enhancements will immerse visitors in the cultural richness of the regions they traverse—showcasing Romanesque architecture, monastic traditions, medieval town centers, and local legends associated with Saint James.

Additionally, workshops and training initiatives will be implemented to equip local tourism operators, guides, and community organizations with the skills necessary to deliver high-quality visitor experiences. This, in turn, helps reinforce local ownership of the project while creating employment opportunities in rural areas.

3. Marketing, Digitalization, and Smart Tourism

A modern pilgrimage also demands modern tools. Camino Vertical is investing in digital platforms and smart tourism strategies to make the routes more visible, accessible, and attractive to a global audience. This includes:

  • A multilingual website featuring interactive route maps and itineraries
  • Custom-built mobile apps will provide interactive GPS guidance, immersive cultural content, and up-to-the-minute route information tailored to the Camino experience.
  • Coordinated social media campaigns targeting international travelers
  • Collaboration with regional tourism boards to align promotional messages

By embracing digital transformation, the project aims to make the Camino experience more inclusive, especially for tech-savvy tourists, solo travelers, and international pilgrims seeking convenience alongside authenticity.

Local Impact and Long-Term Vision

While the Camino Vertical project has cross-border relevance, its greatest strength lies in its local impact. Towns, villages, and rural municipalities that lie along the Camino routes are expected to benefit from renewed tourism flows, which in turn could foster economic revitalization, entrepreneurship, and community-led conservation efforts.

Cultural festivals, artisan fairs, and culinary tourism will be encouraged as complementary offerings, enabling communities to share their intangible heritage with a wider audience. In particular, the project promotes the idea of “slow tourism,” where visitors are invited to linger, learn, and engage more deeply with their surroundings rather than merely pass through.

Furthermore, Camino Vertical aligns with broader European sustainability goals. Encouraging travel on foot, by bicycle, or through public transportation minimizes the environmental footprint, while digital tools reduce the need for physical brochures and printed materials.

Strengthening the Spain–Portugal Tourism Corridor

One of the most compelling aspects of Camino Vertical is its role in fortifying the tourism corridor between Spain and Portugal. The cross-border nature of the project allows both countries to pool resources, harmonize infrastructure standards, and co-create itineraries that highlight mutual cultural assets.

This binational cooperation is also a powerful diplomatic message. It demonstrates how shared heritage can transcend borders, foster peace, and build unity through tourism. Camino Vertical serves as a case study in how EU-funded projects can catalyze collaboration and strengthen regional identities.

Moreover, by drawing pilgrims and tourists deeper into inland regions, the project helps relieve pressure from over-touristed areas while redistributing economic benefits more evenly across rural and semi-urban areas.

Future Opportunities and Expansion

The Camino Vertical initiative is only the beginning of a larger vision. As the project gains traction and visibility, there are discussions about expanding the model to other cultural and pilgrimage routes across the Iberian Peninsula. This could include integrating the Camino Mozárabe or the Vía de la Plata—routes that hold deep historical significance and untapped tourism potential.

In the long term, Camino Vertical could serve as a model for similar initiatives across Europe. Other nations with historic pilgrimage trails—such as France, Italy, or even Germany—may draw inspiration from the Camino Vertical blueprint to revitalize their own sacred paths through sustainable tourism and digital innovation.

A New Chapter for the Camino and Iberian Heritage

The Camino Vertical project encapsulates the power of cross-border collaboration to breathe new life into historic routes while promoting sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced forms of cultural tourism. Through the restoration of ancient Jacobean paths, the enrichment of visitor experiences, and the integration of digital tools, Spain and Portugal are redefining the pilgrimage journey for the twenty-first century.

By channeling over €2.6 million into this transformative initiative, both countries are not only preserving their shared cultural legacy but also ensuring that the Camino de Santiago continues to inspire spiritual seekers, history lovers, and global travelers for generations to come.

Spain and Portugal have launched the strategic project Camino Vertical with an investment in excess of two million euros to recover past pilgrimage paths and rural tourism through the renovation of the cultural heritage, upgrading infrastructure, and cooperation at a transborder scale.

As the world re-embraces travel with a renewed emphasis on purpose, meaning, and sustainability, Camino Vertical offers a timely reminder that heritage, community, and cooperation are the true markers of a journey worth taking.

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