Towards a methodology of good practices for heritage-led rural regeneration: From the main paths to the surrounding areas

Pilgrimage routes can be traversed by thousands of people, but their impact is felt almost exclusively in the places situated directly along the paths. Thus, multiple rural regions remain passive witnesses to the flows of pilgrims, when in fact they could add content and value to the experiences, especially considering that in these places, slow tourism is still possible. The objective of this research is to explore the challenges and opportunities offered by heritage in urban-rural dynamics in the context of rural regeneration near pilgrimage routes as a tool for promoting sustainable development. Through what strategies can the charm of the cultural heritage of the rural areas near pilgrimage routes be leveraged? To this end, four case studies from Europe traversed by different transnational pilgrimage routes were selected. The study is based on primary sources such as 16 interviews and 384 surveys and secondary sources such as statistics and existing studies to design common foundations. This work additionally allows the identification of good/best practices. The main results highlight bringing together significant cultural experiences with resources found in the rural environment, mobilizing transport, accommodation, and catering in one click, and offering complete packages to pilgrims through tailored promotion methods.