THE PILGRIM’S PATH: WHO WALKS WHERE AND WHY ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

The examination of why people make journeys to sites of religious significance constitutes a fundamental research question within tourism studies. This inquiry represents a central theoretical concern that intersects multiple disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, psychology, sociology, and religious studies, necessitating comprehensive analytical frameworks to understand the complex motivational structures underlying contemporary religious travel behavior. The contemporary phenomenon of pilgrimage has undergone a paradigmatic shift from traditional religious frameworks, demonstrating the influence of diverse sociocultural and individual variables. This transformation in pilgrimage conceptualization emerges from several contributing factors: evolving personal value systems and belief structures, technological innovations that improve information accessibility and interpersonal communication, and a growing interest in individualized searches for existential meaning and spiritual connectivity within an increasingly secular societal context. Whereas medieval pilgrimage practices were primarily anchored in religious conviction and penitential purposes, contemporary pilgrimage experiences exhibit significantly greater motivational diversity, reflecting the multifaceted nature of modern human complexity. The main objective of the present exploratory study is to examine factors that influence pilgrims’ choice of route difficulty on Camino de Santiago, using 272 valid responses from 331 collected surveys. Given the limited sample size, the research adopts an exploratory approach to identify preliminary relationships and patterns for future large-scale studies. The analysis employs PLS-SEM and multigroup analysis using SmartPLS 4 software. Given the methodological constraints, the findings should be considered indicative rather than definitive. This research offers both academic and practical value, providing theoretical contributions to pilgrimage studies while providing actionable insights for diverse stakeholders involved in Camino de Santiago route management and pilgrim experience optimization. JEL classification: L80, L83, Z00, Z39 Article History: Received: August 20, 2025; Reviewed: September 8, 2025; Accepted: September 22, 2025; Available online: September 29, 2025